TH Judo students meet Olympian and plan tournament for Frolic weekend

• Kayla Harrison

Olympic gold medalist, Kayla Harrison signs autographs for members of the Two Harbors Judo Club at a judo clinic in Milwaukee recently. On Sunday club members will hold a judo tournament starting at 10 a.m at Two Harbors High School. All are welcome to attend.

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Six students from the North Shore Judo Club of Two Harbors attended a clinic in Milwaukee, Wisc., featuring Kayla Harrison, who won a Gold Medal in judo at the 2012 Olympics in London, England in the 78 kg (172 lb.) division.

The clinic lasted 90 minutes and drew over 100 young students from as far away as Missouri and the Carolinas. At the end of the clinic, Harrison autographed students’ judo gis and belts. She also signed photographs, which she provided for the students. Due to student interest, the autograph session took almost an hour.

During the clinic, Harrison taught a mat technique to students--breaking it down, demonstrating each part, allowing time for students to practice and concluding the lesson with a review. She gave individual coaching as needed and was assisted by many volunteer black belts. The last few minutes of the clinic were spent in a question-answer session.

In March, Harrison said she plans to begin training for the five major tournaments she intends to enter on her way to qualifying for the 2016 Olympics.

The North Shore Judo Club is holding a tournament as part of the Winter Frolic on Sunday, Feb.10. The tournament starts at 10:00 a.m. at Two Harbors High School.

Roger A. Anderson, head instructor at the North Shore Judo Club is a third degree black belt and holds a national coaching certificate. He has been coaching judo since the mid 1980’s. Classes are held at the Masonic Lodge in Two Harbors from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evenings.

Tags: two harbors, sports, judo