Navan club members hit their targets with medal haul

Judo Club can reflect back on a brilliant 2024

Members of the Navan’s Yoroi Dojo Judo Club can certainly reflect back on 2024 with pride, particularly in the closing stages of the year, as they chalked up a series of outstanding performance at the All-Ireland Judo Championships 2024, held at the National Indoor Arena in December.

Competing in Ireland’s most prestigious judo event, the team’s hard work and dedication resulted in a series of impressive achievements, cementing their reputation as a powerhouse in the Irish judo scene.

The Yoroi Dojo team entered seven participants across categories ranging from minors to seniors, showcasing both the depth and talent of their roster. The standout performances came from members of the club’s development team, which has been designed to nurture athletes aspiring to pursue semi-professional and professional judo careers.

The team has exceeded expectations in 2024, with all four members hitting their seasonal targets and climbing the podium at this pinnacle event.

Among the highlights from the All-Irelands were:

· Edward Ala, competing in the Cadets under-66kg category, secured a hard-fought bronze medal. This adds to his stellar year, which includes silver at the Netherlands Open, gold at the Munster Open, and bronze at the English Open.

· Kira Sinkevic, in the Cadets under-57kg, claimed another bronze medal to her growing collection, which already includes podium finishes at the Northern Ireland Open and the Munster Open.

· Eugeniu Zubenschi, who competed in both the junior and senior under-73kg divisions, demonstrated resilience and skill, earning two bronze medals despite facing some of the toughest competitors in the country.

· Emily Eufrasio, in the under-70kg category, also claimed bronze, further solidifying her position as one of the most promising athletes in her division.

These medals reflect the tremendous effort, discipline, and passion of the athletes and their coaches, head coach Anderson Santos and assistant coaches Kaylee Cherry and Renan Nunes at Yoroi Dojo.

There are other reasons for the club's progress.

"Yoroi Dojo’s Development Team program has been instrumental in these achievements," added Kaylee Cherry.

"By providing a structured pathway for players with long-term goals of professional success, the program has proven its effectiveness. Athletes benefit from targeted training, competition exposure, and mentorship, all of which are helping them shine on national and international stages.

"The club’s success is made possible by the unwavering support of the local community and the generosity of our season sponsor Blacksys, whose backing allows the athletes to participate in high-level competitions across Ireland and beyond. Yoroi Dojo’s leadership expresses their gratitude, noting how essential this support is for building a thriving judo program in Navan.

"As the team reflects on their 2024 accomplishments, they are already setting their sights on an even more successful 2025 season. With such a strong foundation, the future looks bright for Yoroi Dojo and its athletes."