France, Germany, Portugal and now Mexico and Chile. Ian Ryder is seeing the world as one of Canada’s top up-and-coming judokas.
The 16-year-old confirmed his national level status by capturing his U90 kg weight class in the U18 competition at the recent Canadian Open Judo Championships in Calgary. He also aged up to finish third at the U21 level.
Ryder continues to build off his 2016 performance at Nationals which saw him win a pair of medals, including gold at U16. That earned him an invitation to a summer camp at the National Team Training Centre in Montreal where he first got a taste of where his promising career was headed beyond the familiar walls of the Steveston Judo Club.
Last fall, Ryder’s training shifted to Burnaby where he now works with one-time French national team member Jérémy Le Bris — Judo B.C’s Sport Development Director and Provincial Coach. It was Le Bris who arranged for Ryder’s international debut at a competition in France last December where he won bronze.
That set the stage for being in Canadian team colours for the first time at a tournament in Germany over spring break.
Ryder placed fifth — earning him the G-standard as a national level athlete. That status paves the way for him to compete for Canada at the Pan Am Junior and Cadet Championships in Cancun, July 1-2 and the Cadet World Championships in Chile later this summer. Only the top 10 male and female judokas in Canada were selected for the U18 World event.
“I haven’t been on the international circuit for that long but once I start going to more and more tournaments, I will get a better idea who I will be fighting,” said Ryder. “It’s still pretty new to me and it will take a little bit of time to get use to, but it is really a great experience. I’m looking forward to getting to travel for Canada.”
He is grateful for everything his home club has done for him — from a development to a financial standpoint.
The long list of supporters includes Steveston Judo Club’s Head Coach Kane Morishita, Club President Al Sakai, Head Instructor Ron Kuramoto, Senior Sensei Rep Jim Kojima and longtime member Martin Kuramoto.
“There are a lot of other sensei and people behind the scenes helping me and funding as well. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them,” continued Ryder.
Even with his busy training and competition schedule, the Grade 10 McMath Secondary student still finds the time to continue his lacrosse career.
The one-time provincial team player will continue to suit up for Richmond’s Midget team until he leaves for Cancun.
Ryder will also be joining his national teammates for a training camp in Montreal in late July, prior to the World Cadets.
