JUDO Bendigo clubmates Sancia Donegan, Bryan Jolly and Louis Mott are set to do battle with many of Oceania’s best exponents later this week.
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The talented trio will compete at the Oceania Games in New Caledonia on April 10 and 11.
Donegan, 15, and Mott, 14, will represent Australia for the first time.
Contenders for the cadet (under-18) girls’ under-70kg title at the Games will include Donegan.
Mott is in the cadet (under-18) boys’ under-50kg class.
Campbells Forest-based Jolly is a reigning Oceania champion heading to a fourth Games campaign.
Selection was based on tournaments held across Australia this year.
Among the highs were the ACT Open and Queensland Open.
Judo Bendigo sensei or instructor Ben Donegan said to have three players chosen for the Oceania Games was a “fantastic achievement”.
Ben Donegan said a lot of work had gone into training.
“The development of Sancia and Louis is great, and Bryan just keeps on getting stronger.
“They are continually learning different tactics and how to adapt in every fight.”
Since she was little, Sancia has watched cousins Ben and Alexandra go on to represent Australia in judo.
“Being in an Australian team for the first time is really exciting,” Sancia said.
A dislocated shoulder meant Sancia missed a lot of training last September and October.
“For a while there I doubted I would get in,” she said of working toward her goal of Oceania Games selection.
A judo player for 12 years, Sancia encouraged more girls to join what she called a “great sport” to be in.
“It’s a sport all the family can do.”
Jolly has racked up many wins since he took up judo when he was 12.
His feats at home and overseas have earned monthly wins and a Cyril Michelsen Trust Fund in the 50-year history of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Advertiser-Prime 7 Sports Star of the Year.
Jolly said the Oceania Games would be a crucial step leading to the national titles at Wollongong in June.
“There’s always a great adrenalin rush when you step onto the mat and then during a fight,” Jolly said.
“When you complete a big throw or move makes all the training worth it.”
Away from judo, Jolly is a year 12 student at East Loddon P12.
