WA judo athlete Calvin Knoester recently claimed a maiden senior national title in the men’s 73kg class at the Australian Championships on the Gold Coast.
The 21 year-old Ocean Reef resident announced himself as one of the nation’s rising stars by producing a dominant display throughout the tournament, culminating in a highly impressive win over 2016 Rio Olympian Jake Bensted in the gold medal round.
Originally from South Africa, Knoester is coached by his father Carlo, and has represented Australia at World University Games level.
Scores are awarded in judo for various techniques, the highest of which is termed as “ippon” whereby a competitor throws their opponent onto the mat with speed and force, so that their back completely touches the mat.
A successful execution of ippon ends a bout immediately. Ippon can also be achieved if an opponent is positioned and held on their back for 25 seconds – referred to as a hold down, if they submit their opponent through a choke or arm-lock, or if their opponent is penalised for Hansoku-Make (major rule infringement). Hansoku-Make is also determined if a contestant is deemed to have committed three Shido (minor rule infringement) offenses.
Knoester defeated Queensland’s Breixo Castro in his opening bout, before taking victory over Victorian Anthony Yee in the second round.
His quarter-final bout saw him defeat fellow West Australian Renzo Briers before earning qualification for the gold medal bout with a semi-final victory over Queensland’s Sam King.
Highlighting his dominant display, Knoester won each bout courtesy of ippon.
