Bahamas Judo Torunamen, 2007

UNIÓN PANAMERICANA DE JUDO		UNIÃO PANAMERICANA DE JUDÔ
PANAMERICAN JUDO UNION		UNION PANAMERICAINE DE JUDO

Mr. Jaime Casanova
President Pan American Judo Union
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
December 9, 2007

This a letter of thanks to express gratitude to you and the Executive Committee of the PJU for your continued work and support of the Bahamas Judo Federation these past few years. I am pleased to report that Judo has become a very popular sport with explosive growth in the Bahamas in the past two years and our Federation now boasts a membership of over 500 students and 6 clubs.

We recently held a tournament in which we had over 250 athletes compete while several hundred spectators watched. From our point of view, the PJU Executive Committee has assisted us with coaching help, athlete development and referee development. We look forward in working with you in the future as we make the Bahamas a Judo sporting power.

This past weekend , Over 250 competitors and several hundred spectators attended the Milo Judo Classic in which was probably the largest martial arts tournament ever held in the Bahamas. The tournament was held at Loyola Hall on Gladstone Road. Over 15 Judo clubs from various schools participated. The tournament was hosted by the All-Star Family Centre and sponsored by Milo's Energy Drink.

"The response was overwhelming," says D'Arcy Rahming, Tournament Director. "But more importantly the caliber of Judo was very high." Judo is the fastest growing sport in the Bahamas. Bahamian teams have entered the international arena this year with significant wins in major tournaments.

Athletes of ages three and up participated in the tournament. Many families watched anxiously as both boys and girls grappled each other to submission. "I am amazed at the level of development of my children," says Sandra Kemp, who has three boys in the All-Star program at Joe Farrington Road. "The overall level of competitiveness was very high, I am so happy that my boys all won trophies."

Judo is an Olympic sport that is practiced around the world. "As tough as this sport is the children are happy at the end of the tournament. They know that they have achieved something. We ought not be afraid to let our children safely test themselves, there are no losers here," says Rahming who is also President of the Bahamas Judo Federation.

The Bahamas Judo Federation can be contacted at its Headquarters at the All-Star Family Centre on Joe Farrington Road. Interested persons may call 364-6773.




The President of Bahamas Judo association D´arcy Rahming