My Account
by Jeremy Fourie
Sister and brother Jade and Jonny Milne, who both attend Whangaparaoa College, are making an impact in judo, with recent wins in national competition.
Year 7 student Jonny competed in the NZ Intermediate School Age Judo Championships at the Aquinas Action Centre in Tauranga on July 8, and after some tough fights, earned a silver medal in the Boys U36kg weight category.
At the same time, his older sister Jade competed in the NZ Secondary Schools Judo Tournament, beating all the opposition to win gold in the Girls U52kg weight category.
Both clearly enjoy competing. “I like it when sometimes, you’re the underdog and you beat them – it’s a nice feeling,” Jonny says.
“Although I don’t do it too often, I just like throwing people,” Jade says.
Since Hibiscus Matters last spoke to the Milne family, a year ago, Jonny has moved up one weight category and is currently ranked 6th in New Zealand. Jade only recently started competing again after a lengthy injury layoff and will need to compete and place in the next tournament to achieve a ranking in her category.
Jonny and Jade, who live in Stanmore Bay, attained their green belts at the Nippon Judo Club and continue to train there three times a week under the guidance of coaches Johan Boshoff and Justine Bishop.
When there is no one of similar weight left to practise against, at the end of the 90-minute sessions, the siblings will occasionally fight against each other. When asked who wins, they answer in unison – “me!”
The all-round benefits of practising judo are clear to proud mum Charmaine and dad David. “Jonny’s confidence has improved, Charmaine says. “He plays rugby with kids 30kg heavier than him, and it’s not an issue.”
She says Jade has become more goal oriented and determined, especially after overcoming the frustration of being sick and being injured for a long time.
The siblings also competed in the Auckland International Open last weekend.
Next up are the North Island Championships in Kapiti and the South Island Championships in Nelson, both held in September, and the NZ National Championships in Christchurch at the end of October.
