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Volume 108, Issue 8
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Hard-won hardware for Harding homeschooler By Sheila Runions Banner Staff
M
elody Kroeker is the eldest of five siblings born to Walter and Laurie Kroeker, who farm just north of Harding. The 16-year-old has been practising judo for the past 8.5 years and earlier this season, she won first in provincial championships. Now the teen has a bronze medal, earned from the Aug. 7-16 Western Canada Summer Games in Fort McMurray, Alta. As one of the many athletes on Team Manitoba, her win helped the province break its previous medal-attaining record by winning 144, the third-highest medal count of the seven represented provinces. The previous record was set at the games in Kamloops in 2011 when Team Manitoba won 107 medals. Kroeker competed in two events, kata and shiai, in the 48- to 52-kilogram female under-18 category. “I had two fights. Kata is very formal and precise and you have a partner that works with you to demonstrate a set of judo throws or ground holds. Shiai is fighting competition where you have an opponent. I was able to compete with a girl from B.C. who currently ranks second in our weight category in Canada, which is an honour. I really enjoyed competing with the judoka (one who does judo) from Saskatchewan. Hopefully we will get the opportunity to meet again.” Judo belt colours are white, yellow, orange, green, blue, brown, black and striped. Melody has reached the blue level so has many more tiers ahead of her when one considers blacks belts can be seven degrees before the ultimate belt of white with red stripes, which has a 10th degree. Her years of training have been at Brandon Judokan, Portage la Prairie and University of Manitoba (U of M). She currently practises in Brandon four hours a week and once a month in Winnipeg or Portage.
“I train at home by doing farm work daily. This includes hand milking a cow (helps with arm and grip strength),and working with my horse (helps with balance and leg strength). Feeding and watering the animals helps build strength. Eating real homemade hearty food also makes a difference. Every sensei (teacher) has different experiences which shapes the way they teach and their content — no two will teach exactly the same. [Training] elsewhere gives a rich learning experience and can give you an advantage when you learn from many sources. It is also good to work out with a variety of judoka as each fights to different strengths and has their favourite moves. This gives practice in all aspects and makes for a more well-rounded judoka. I attended a judo camp at International Peace Gardens one week before leaving for the games. There I was able to work on my skills with the guidance of nine black belts.” She began participating in this sport “because my parents wanted me to learn a form of self defence and they wanted our family to learn a lifelong sport together. It is something you can strive to improve on throughout your life; there is a club almost anywhere you go, if you look. It teaches important life skills such as how to fall without getting hurt, awareness of your body and surroundings, confidence of control in tight situations, and respect for others. “It has become a family sport for us, with my dad and so far two siblings taking judo. My other siblings are also looking forward to starting one day as well. My youngest sister already knows four modified throws very well and she learned them at two-and-a-half; I am very proud of her!” When asked if she was part of Team Manitoba because of her provincial win, Melody an-
Photos submitted
The bronze medal (judo) Melody Kroeker won at Western Canada Summer Games.
swered, “Yes and no. Winning gold at provincials is important in the selection of athletes — it gives the opportunity to demonstrate skill, technique and speed. It is one of those tournaments that is important in moving forward; however, it is not a requirement to become a part of the provincial judo team. What is important is the ability to focus, demonstration of technique, speed in execution and efficiency in execution with minimal effort. Provincial coaches watch for skill at all tournaments throughout the year. They require all who qualify initially (age and belt level) to attend team practices at U of M for a number of months, and then they choose their top judoka in each weight category to represent Manitoba outside of the province.” Her goals for the Alberta games were “to have fun, make new friends and win,” so she completed her trifecta. She says other items which may interest readers are that she “enjoys western horseback riding, creating original jewelry for girls and their horses to sell locally and online, exploring nature, and singing. I am homeschooled. I wanted to try out for the games because it sounded like a fun new adventure and a great challenge. I continue [judo] be-
cause it is so fun and it is a good way to meet good friends! Judo means “the gentle way” and was developed in 1882; it became an Olympic sport when Japan
joined the Olympic Games [in 1912]. The Brandon club begins its fall program on Sept 9; you can find out more by visiting brandonjudokan.org.”