MJ’s Judo Dojo returned from the 2026 Western Cape Open with an impressive set of results, after all 35 of its competitors secured a podium finish at the event hosted by Eden Judo at The Civic Centre in the Garden Route.
The competition brought together 150 judoka from across the Eastern and Western Coastal districts, representing MJ’s Judo, Eden Judo, Cape Town Judo and Cape Winelands Judo. Participants ranged in age from six years to adults, creating an opportunity for competitors at different stages of their judo journeys to test their skills against one another.
MJ’s entered 35 competitors, the majority of whom competed in the advanced category. Every member of the team secured either a gold, silver or bronze medal, highlighting the depth of talent and preparation within the dojo.
Among the youngest participants representing MJ’s were three judoka from Jeffreys Bay: Bodhi Hayton, Beyers Bezuidenhout and Rossouw Pienaar, who stepped onto the competition mat alongside more experienced competitors.
Several individual performances also caught the coaches’ attention, with Tiffany Botes of Framesby High School, Gabriel Robinson of Clarendon Park Primary School and Colby Jansen van Rensburg of Framesby High School singled out for their efforts throughout the competition.
Beyond the individual contests, team fights added another dimension to the day’s competition, challenging judoka to work together and represent their respective teams.
In the male junior division, MJ’s faced a combined team representing Cape Town, Cape Winelands and Eden Judo. The contest ended in a draw, with the Western Cape team taking the overall result on points. MJ’s went on to secure a victory in the 13–17-year-old male division, while both female teams, in the 7–12 and 13–17 age groups, narrowly lost their respective contests by just one point.
For coaches Reece Kramer, Matthew Spear and Teresa Vermaak, however, the results only tell part of the story. Some of the most rewarding moments came from watching their judoka demonstrate courage, composure and maturity when faced with challenging opponents, including competitors they had never encountered before.
“The team showed great composure, readiness to fight and maturity far beyond their years. With every competition, we see them developing further, not only as judoka but as individuals,” said the MJ’s coaching team.
“Stepping onto a mat alone and facing someone you don’t know can be incredibly intimidating. Competitions teach children and adults alike to find the courage to do it anyway. A win can build confidence, while a loss teaches you how to accept disappointment, learn and come back stronger. Either way, there is tremendous mental growth.”
Sportsmanship was another standout feature of the team’s performance. Emily Mitchell of Lorraine was particularly recognised for the consistent encouragement and support she showed her teammates, regardless of the outcome of their fights.
That sense of camaraderie was evident throughout the day, with judoka of all ages looking out for one another. Teammates fetched water and Energade, stood in one another’s corners and cheered from the sidelines, ensuring that every competitor had support when stepping onto the mat.
Parents also played an important role in creating this environment, with the coaches expressing their appreciation for the way families supported not only their own children but the entire team.
“The support from our parents means an incredible amount to us. It is wonderful to see parents supporting not only their own children but everyone in the team. The children feel comfortable around one another’s parents, and that creates a real sense of belonging. We are very grateful for that,” the coaches added.
Another particularly encouraging development was seeing competitors who have previously struggled with losing begin to understand that a gold medal is not guaranteed at every competition. Learning to appreciate personal progress, acknowledge an opponent’s achievement and remain positive after a difficult fight is an important part of becoming a well-rounded judoka.
For the coaching team, judo has a purpose that extends well beyond physical training and competitive results. They recognise that children and teenagers face challenges of their own, sometimes more than they openly express, and believe the discipline provides a valuable opportunity to channel their energy in a controlled environment while developing confidence, self-belief and emotional resilience.
“We understand that children and teenagers go through a lot, sometimes more than they let on. Seeing them come onto the mat, channel their energy in a controlled environment and push themselves through a challenge is incredibly rewarding.
“We want our community to know that everything we do is centred on what is best for the child. We want to see our children, teenagers and adults grow into more confident, resilient individuals with brighter futures.”
The Western Cape Open also forms part of MJ’s Judo Dojo’s ongoing preparation for the 2027 National Ranking events, particularly the Judo South Africa Championships. These competitions provide valuable experience, allowing judoka to test themselves against unfamiliar opponents, identify areas for improvement and build the confidence required to compete at a higher level.
With a strong medal performance, competitive team results and encouraging signs of personal development across all age groups, MJ’s Judo Dojo has plenty to celebrate following its trip to the Garden Route.
For its coaching team, the greatest achievement remains seeing each judoka grow in confidence, learn to face adversity and understand that success is measured not only by the medal around their neck, but also by the person they become along the way.
