With not much competition in Victoria, Sunbury’s Oluwaremi Olalekan was unsure how she would go at the Australian National Judo Championships earlier this month.
After urging by Victorian team coaches to compete in the national championships for the first time, Olalekan won both her events.
She took out the junior women’s 78kg-plus division and the senior women’s division in the same weight category.
She won both the best-of-three grand finals, in two rounds.
“I was very happy because I won both categories,” the 15-year-old said.
“I have only been doing it for four years, and I was competing against competitors who were more experienced and heavier than me.
“In the senior category, everyone was between 20 and 30.”
She said having the support of her coaches in both Sunbury and Victorian squads was a massive boost. Olalekan trains at Kaizen Judo in Sunbury.
“My coach at Sunbury said I should try out for the Victorian squad and then the coaches there said I should try out,” the Salesian College student said. “Certainly helps with the confidence.
“They have done a lot in judo, and one of the coaches has competed for Australia.”
Olalekan, who is also known as Remi, wants to continue testing herself against others.
She’s come a long way for someone who just went along when her brother was looking to join.
“I want to compete internally and get as far as I can go,” the young athlete said.
“Maybe look at going to the Commonwealth Games …”
