17 Year Old Paxton Nelson Earns Judo Black Belt
Last Sunday was a special day for 17 year old Paxton Nelson.
After ten years as a judo student Nelson tested and successfully completed the requirements to achieve his black belt in the sport.
“I’ve been doing judo since I was seven I’m 17 now. It’s taken about 10 years to get my black belt,” Nelson said.
“It’s pretty cool after 10 years it’s always been a goal of mine to get a black belt. Now that I have it it feels pretty good.”
The black belt test was officiated by a board of senior belt holders. The board included a few red belts - a higher tier of black belt.
Paxton Nelson shows off his new black belt - MJ Independent photo
Achieving his black belt was something he’d been working towards over the years. It was no easy chore.
“It was pretty difficult. The one thing I was bad at was all of the memorizing of the techniques and stuff,” he said, adding he had to remember over 40 throws and over 20 arm bars and chokes.
Paxton’s black belt is the first one awarded to an athlete from the judo program at Control.
Paxton’s dad Jeff Nelson holds a black belt he received 20 years ago while a member of a different club.
“He (his dad Jeff Nelson) was really proud he came and he was super excited when I passed…it was really nice having him there supporting me.”
About being the first member to achieve a black belt at the club he said “it’s pretty cool to be the first black belt out of Control (judo).”
Although he cannot be called a sensei Nelson said it’s something he’s working towards.
Paxton Nelson (left) and Josh Hagen high performance coach and director of development for JudoSask ham around at the end of the class - MJ Independent photo
Josh Hagen high performance coach and director of JudoSask plus CBC Olympics colour commentator for judo, said Paxton’s black belt was great to see but he was impressed by the club’s growth.
“It’s super exciting. It’s also nice to see when I first visited two years ago this group was like six or seven kids and to see 30 kids practicing judo in this little dojo is awesome to see,” Hagen said.
“The number increase, the quality and how they’re excited with judo is really great.”
Asked if one person receiving a black belt helps build other people wanting to do the same thing he said it does start a trend.
“Other people realize it’s achievable so that’s nice the see it’s achievable. Often once they get to the stage of black belt they help the people who are younger,” Hagen said.
Asked if achieving a black belt helps a person to become a teacher and sensei he described it as a “huge step”.
There is a national coaching certification program in Canada, being 18 and having a black belt are the requirements to a certified sensei.
Paxton is one of two local judokas who are likely headed to Europe later this year to compete.
Judo is a growing sport at both clubs in Moose Jaw and the province.
“We’ve seen a growth in members into the hundreds over the last two years.”
The number of black belts achieved and athletes close to trying for their’s in Moose Jaw is up as well.