MIDDLETON’S NASH CLAIMS BRONZE AT CANADA CUP.
At international competition in Montreal
Sebastian Nash of Middleton won a bronze medal at the Canada Cup over the weekend. The 16-year-old Nash also became the first Prince Edward Island athlete to make it to the podium at an International Judo Federation event in over 11 years. He competed in the cadet under-18 -90-kilogram category, and has moved into the top 50 in the world in his division. “I wanted to win a medal and go for gold, but I had to go for bronze,” said Nash in a phone interview with the Journal Pioneer on Monday. “It felt being pretty good up on the podium. “Being a Canadian, I got to hear the Canadian national anthem played while I was up there, and it was nice to have that, too.” The Summerside Toshidokan Judo Club member will also spend six weeks training with the Canada’s national junior team in Montreal this summer. “I had my first practice (Monday),” said Nash. “I saw some people there that I knew. . . I can only get better from training here. Hopefully I can go to more international competitions next year.” At the Canada Cup, Nash lost his quarter-final match, and that dropped him to Repechage. He then went on to defeat his next two competitors to win the bronze medal. “I lost my first fight, and I thought if I lose my next fight I am out,” said Nash. “I just had to win my next fight, and then win my fight after that. I just took it one fight at a time, The Canada Cup is a new continental tournament featuring over 600 athletes from approximately 20 countries competing at the senior, junior and cadet levels. “It was my first international tournament,” said Nash. “It was nice to see all the people from the different countries, see them compete and how they do. “I got to talk to them a little bit to see how they live and train.”