JUDO
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Illawarra athletes have cleaned up at the 2014 National Championships at WIN Entertainment Centre over the weekend.
Led by the three Kouros brothers, Kosta, Anthony and Jordan, the Illawarra International Judo Club picked up a swag of medals in a number of divisions.
Kosta claimed an emotional national title in the under-21 81kg division with his younger brother Anthony picking up the bronze in the same event.
Anthony’s strong display came after he earned bronze on Saturday in the men’s 73kg before winning gold in the 81kg cadet division on Sunday. His twin brother Jordan wasn’t without his own accolades, securing silvers in both the cadet and under-21 73kg divisions.
The brothers’ magnificent displays were well supported by fellow club members Tinka Easton, James Zahra and Paige Walker.
Easton won the national championship for the under-21 52kg division after securing bronze in the women’s 52kg on Saturday.
Zahra claimed silver in the cadets and bronze in the under 55kg and Walker grabbed a silver in the cadets 44kg.
Event organiser and Illawarra coach Ben Broadhead said it was a pleasure to see the local athletes fulfil their potential.
‘‘It has been great because we have had them all since white belts,’’ Broadhead said.
‘‘It would be fair to say when Kosta won his, after everything we have been through to prepare for the tournament, there was a bit of a tear in the eye.
‘‘They did really well. They certainly did themselves and their families proud.’’
More than 900 competitors participated throughout the weekend of competition which continues on Monday with the junior divisions.
Broadhead said organisers would seek to continue to try and grow the event further in the final year of a four-year contract with the WIN Entertainment Centre.