Montreal, November 3, 2020 – Judo Canada is pleased to announce that the 2022, 2023 and 2024 Elite National Championships will be hosted by the Edmonton Yudanshakai Judo Society (EYJS) and Explore Edmonton at the University of Alberta’s Saville Community Sports Centre.

This will mark the first time the tournament is held outside of Montreal, which has hosted it since its inception in 2015. The event brings together the country’s top eight judokas in each weight division in both the Senior and Under-18 age groups.

“We’re proud that a Western Canadian city put forth a bid to host the country’s judo elite,” affirmed Nicolas Gill, Chief Executive Officer and High Performance Director of Judo Canada. “We believe that this will have a positive impact on the development of athletes from the West and that given that members of the Lethbridge Regional Training Centre have been at the top of club rankings for the past few years, it makes sense to hold this event in Alberta, It’s an acknowledgement of Alberta’s judoka success.”

We believe that this will have a positive impact on the development of athletes from the West and that given that members of the Lethbridge Regional Training Centre have been at the top of club rankings for the past few years, it makes sense to hold this event in Alberta, It’s an acknowledgement of Alberta’s judoka success

Organizing committee president Kelly Thornton is delighted that the hard work of the volunteers has been recognized. “On behalf of the Edmonton judo family, I would like to thank Judo Canada for the confidence and support they’ve shown us by selecting our city and province to host the 2022/23/24 Elite Nationals,” she said. “Edmonton has a history of putting on amazing judo events, such as the exciting Edmonton International Judo Championships every year, the 2015 Panam Championships and the 2019 National Open Championships. The dedication and experience of Edmonton’s judo volunteers will be put on display. They are truly an amazing group of people who are willing to go above and beyond to make the Elite Nationals an event the athletes won’t forget.”

Maggie Davison, acting CEO of Explore Edmonton, is equally enthusiastic. “We’re thrilled to have been chosen as the multi-year host city for the Judo Elite Nationals, and we’re looking forward to welcoming more than 200 athletes and fans to Edmonton. Hosting major cultural and sporting events is a part of our city’s DNA, helping to grow our community and diversify our economy. We look forward to building on the success of the Judo Canada Open Nationals we hosted in 2019.”

“This successful bid is a testament to the hard work, professionalism and success the city of Edmonton has proven in hosting past judo events,” noted Trevor Hazell, President of Judo Alberta. “I know the facilities, accommodations and organization will be second to none, and I look forward to attending and taking in the great events the city of Edmonton, as well as the EYJS, will put on.”

Like the previous editions, the 2022, 2023 and 2024 Elite National Championships will be held in January, but the exact dates have not yet been determined.

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Written by Sportcom for Judo Canada

Information:

Patrick Esparbès
Chief Operating Officer
Judo Canada
(514) 668-6279
p.esparbes@judocanada.org