Months of hard word and dedication by one martial arts club paid off in a big way at the Alaska State Judo Championships in Anchorage last weekend.
Capital City Judo, a club of about 60 members ranging from youths to adults who practice twice a week in their Mendenhall Mall dojo, won their first-ever state title with their 90-point showing at the single-day competition in the Wells Fargo Sports Complex at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
[Photos: JDHS vs. Kayhi, TMHS vs. Sitka]
“I’ve been in town for 20 years, so I’ve wanted that trophy for 20 years,” Jay Watts, the Alaska male grand champion, said.
Watts, who also won the senior male division for under 161 pounds, was one of six team members who took home first-place honors. Also taking the top prize were Rawley Cox (under 7, under 55 pounds), Dylan Watts (under 13 male, under 114 pounds), Marina Lloyd (under 18 female, under 139 pounds), Austin Quintero (senior male, under 220 pounds) and Michael Pitaro (masters male, heavy weight).
Capital City Judo poses with their individual and state championship trophy at the Alaska State Judo Championships at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex at the University of Alaska Anchorage on Saturday, May 4, 2019. (Courtesy Photo | Jay Watts)
First-place finishes garnered 10 points each. Second and third places earned five points and one point, respectively.
“We had some real dominant performances by some of the kids and a couple of the adults,” Watts said. “That’s really what brought us over the top.”
The following Juneau competitors also placed in the top-three in their respective divisions: Lindwood “Woody” Collins III, Cohen Odenheimer, Eleanor Thomas, Marlin Cox, Kaiden Odenheimer, Mary Canapary, Lincoln Razor and Lindwood “Woody” Collins Jr.
