DUAL POWER Two comps at once no probs for team Dojo
The much-heralded team of young athletes from the Dojo at Blue Tree Phuket have outdone themselves once again by triumphing in two separate national tournaments that were held at the same time.
Led by head instructor Alexis Plantard, the team competed in both the Thailand National Judo and National Jiu Jitsu Championships on the weekend of Apr 5-7 in Bangkok and managed to secure a staggering 56-medal haul overall.
The judo competition was held in the morning of each day with 13 athletes from the Dojo team competing against over 600 fighters from more than 100 other clubs around the country.
A superb collective performance across both days of competition saw the team not only win 4 gold medals, 3 silvers and 4 bronze, but also maintain their position as top-ranked team nationally in the under-12 age classification, an honour the team won last year in Nakhon Sri Thammarat.
Not content with their impressive feat, and demonstrating their outstanding stamina and commitment, the 13-member team then raced across the capital on both days to join 12 other colleagues from the Dojo to compete as one team in the National Jiu Jitsu Championships at Rangsit University.
There the Dojo team performed outstandingly well to secure a fourth place finish overall across all age and divisions against 84 clubs and 1,400 athletes, securing 11 gold medals, 13 silver and 21 bronze in the process.
Of note was young student Lea who won three gold medals and a special trophy for best athlete in her age group. Lead instructor Alexis also won three gold medals and a special trophy for best adult athlete.
GEnNEdRATION’ ‘NEXT
Understandably, coach Alexis was very proud of his students, especially with them taking on two tournaments effectively at the same time.
“We are the only club that did both events,” he told The Phuket News.
“The judo and jiu jitsu federations are separate, competing entities altogether. It is why the tournaments were on the same weekend, to effectively force clubs and athletes to choose one of the two sports.
“To compete in both was a logistical challenge for our team, absolutely,” he explained. “The two venues were 40km apart in Bangkok. When the team won in the judo they did not even get chance to take to the podium to collect their medals or celebrate as they had to jump straight into a taxi and head across town to compete in the jiu jitsu competition!
“Fortunately my assistant coach was able to base himself at the jiu jitsu venue and oversee the team before I and the others were able to join him later in the day.”
Alexis also explained that typically students will select one or the other when to comes to the different disciplines. “Usually judo students do not compete in jiu jitsu and vice versa, mainly due to the different intricacies of each sport. However, I purposefully encourage my students to step out of their comfort zone, to test themselves.”
It is an admirable tactic and one that is clearly paying dividends. In addition to their sparkling displays in judo and jiu jitsu, the Dojo team also claimed the top titles in the 12-14 age groups at the Thailand Kurash Wrestling Championships in Phitsanulok province in May last year.
What the team have achieved with just 25 athletes in a small 170 square metre gym tucked away in a corner of the Blue Tree complex is hugely impressive. Alexis ensures nobody rests on their laurels and is continually looking to improve. Next up five of the Dojo team head to the French National Judo Championships in May before seven of the team compete in the US Judo Open Championships in July.
“The Dojo will produce the next generation of world and Olympic champions, I am sure of that,” Alexis says. “It is time to make history.”
Everyone is welcome at the Dojo to learn judo, jujitsu, wrestling and selfdefence. All levels and all ages. For more info visit: dojo@bluetree.fun