Grade 6 student Matthew Bata from TK competed at the Judo Nationals 2015 over the holidays and came home with a bronze medal.

Judo Nationals 2015, organised by US Judo Federation, was held in Indianapolis, USA on 10-12 July. Qualified judokas (Judo practitioners) from USJF, USJA and USA Judo competed in their respective categories (juniors, cadets and seniors) during three days. There were 10 participants in the age and weight bracket where Matthew competed. Five matches were fought in which Matthew won 3 and lost 2. The competition rules followed the traditional format where each judoka had to bet remaining opponents twice in the medal rounds - also known as true-double elimination format.

As the competition followed the true-double elimination format, every judoka had to beat remaining opponents twice in the medal round.

Overall, it was a great competition where all participants were on similar levels and each fight could have gone one of two ways. Congratulations to Matthew, who ranked 4th in his category, and was awarded a bronze medal.