By Sarah Tone, Communications Coordinator

When the Manitoba judo team begins competition at the 2023 Canada Winter Games on March 1, they will bring a rich family judo tradition to the mats. The judo team of 7 male and 7 female fighters features numerous athletes with family connections to the sport and to the Games.

Daniel Ekosky will compete in the male 81 kg weight division. Danny, a 16-year-old brown belt, is a seasoned provincial team competitor who has won numerous medals at Canadian circuit tournaments, including most recently a gold medal at the Pacific International tournament held in Abbottsford, BC in January. He is also the youngest of four siblings who have all competed at the Winter Games. Oldest brother Damien won silver in Prince George in 2015, while Sarah and Justin Ekosky each won bronze at the 2019 Games in Red Deer. 

Kiandra Christ-Bonnell will compete in female under 52 kg. Kiandra, a 17-year-old brown belt, has also competed with the provincial team program for a number of years.  Her brothers, Kelden and Kadin, competed at the 2019 Games. Kadin won silver in male 55 kg at those Games. Their mother, Sonia Christ, a black belt, will be watching her daughter Kiandra compete from the coach’s chair, as she is the female coach for Team Manitoba’s judo team in Charlottetown.

Another team member with family judo connections is Nicolas Villa, a 16-year-old brown belt. He is another veteran judo player and provincial team member. He has been successful at Canadian circuit tournament events and brings medal hopes to Charlottetown. He most recently won silver in the U18 73 kg division at the Pacific International. His sister, Rebecca, competed for Team Manitoba at the 2019 Games.

Nicol Mesongnik, a 16-year-old blue belt, will compete in female 48 kg. Her brother Ariel competed at the 2019 Games. Nicol’s father is also involved as a participant in judo.                    

                                                                                                               

These strong family connections strengthen the sport in our province and encourage each successive generation to become involved in judo and to aspire to represent their province at Canada Games.