13-year old wins biggest title for KV club

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Candice Mac Lean
KV Style

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Jedrick Imbeault, 13, was the winner in his age group in an international judo tournament. Here, he wears all the medals he has won in the past three years.

A Rothesay teenager says a combination of strategy and strength is what led him to take home a gold medal in an international judo tournament last month.
Jédrick Imbeault, 13, was the winner in his age group at the Quebec Open Judo Tournament held in Montreal Oct. 10 and 11.
“It’s strategy,” the teenager said on his technique. “I don’t find it that hard to move people around and get them in position and trick them and use their own force against them. You can make it look like you’re going one way so when they lean back you hit them the other way.”
Jédrick is a member of the KV Judo Club and coach Jeff Porter said the gold medal is the biggest title ever brought home by a club member.
“He’s a very smart fighter and he absorbs new moves very quickly,” Porter said of Jédrick’s skills. “He’s very strong for his age. Judo is his sport.”
Jédrick joined the club about three years ago and has already achieved a green belt – just three away from the coveted black belt.
Jédrick, a Grade 8 student at Centre Samuel-de-Champlain, said he has learned to remain calm and centred when he enters a fight instead of becoming fueled by anger.
“Sometimes you see people come up and their face is red with anger,” he said. “I just find it fun. I like throwing people and getting thrown.”
The teenager said his goal when he gets on the mat is to win as quickly as possible. He said in Montreal he won each of his fights in 30 seconds or less.
“You kind of have a plan but it can go any way,” Jédrick said. “You can try to do a plan but one little mistake and he can get you. I don’t really make myself a plan, I just go in where there’s an open space. If that doesn’t work, I’ll try something else.”
Porter said the teenager’s skill level has risen quickly.
“He’s amazing for 13,” Porter said. “He deserves this. He works extra hard.”
Jédrick said it’s important to respect any opponent and added that he usually starts a fight with a quick handshake.
“If they have no respect for me, I’ll just throw them,” he said. “Last year at the Atlantics I went in to shake the guy’s hand before we started fighting and he just grabbed my gi (uniform) and ran after me and I threw him right away when he came running at me.”
Jédrick’s mother Sonja Imbeault said her son has always been the type to excel at anything he tries.
“He’s pretty good at whatever he touches but if he likes it it’s even better.”
Jédrick said he wants to continue with judo and hopes to make it to the Olympics some day.