By Sam Cortes, Communications Coordinator
Airton Nakamura’s judo career started in Brazil when he was just eight years old. Getting his black belt at the age of 16, he started coaching at the club level, too.
In 2006, Airton came to Canada and got involved in coaching at the University of Winnipeg, and later gained experience as the assistant provincial coach at Judo Manitoba beginning in 2017.
Now, the Head Coach will lead Team Toba’s 14 judo athletes through the Canada Games experience in PEI.
A Young Team
Athletes born between 2005 and 2008 are eligible to make the team.
“Our majority is 2007, 2008 so we have the youngest side of the group,” said Airton.
Although a relatively young team, he is eager to show the country what they can do.
“This also means that about six or seven of athletes qualify for a tournament called Elite8 on the first weekend of December,” said Airton. “It’s before the Canada Games, but it’s the top eight athletes in each weight category and it’s [an invite] from Judo Canada to compete in a tournament.”
“We had a chance to take the majority of the kids that were training to nationals in Montreal. It’s just to give an idea of how big a competition can be, how loud it can be,” said Airton.
They’ll also compete in two tournaments in Quebec and Ontario during the first weeks of November to provide even more experience leading up to PEI.
“In Manitoba, as a small province, we always have a good turnout in the results,” Airton adds. “That’s one thing I’m very happy with.”
Toba Training
The current team has already been training together for a year. In addition to attending competitions across Canada, they’ve been training in the sport twice a week and are required to train at least twice a week at their own clubs.
“So it’s at least four times a week in judo. Physical training is a part [of it], but [it’s] also suggested for them to go workout, do a session, somewhere outside of judo.”
Physical testing, sport psych, and nutrition sessions complete a well-rounded approach to prep for Games.
Just the Beginning
Airton said there’s a trend that the Canada Games is often an end-tournament for a lot of athletes.
But he wants people to know, that doesn’t have to be the case.
“After Canada Games, we have a lot of drop out. So, hopefully that’ll change a little bit. We’re trying to change that culture, like the Canada Winter Games is not the end goal – there’s more after that,” said Airton.
After the Games, they have nationals and international tournaments in places like Europe and South America.
“[The Canada Games] is not the end , it’s just the beginning,” said Airton.
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