More medals for Melody

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Published on Saturday, November 21, 2015

By Sheila Runions

Banner Staff

Last August, Rivers Banner informed readers of Harding’s Melody Kroeker, who won a bronze medal in judo at the Western Canada Summer Games (WCSG), after first winning gold at provincials.

On Nov. 14 she won two more medals at a one-day tournament in Winnipeg which drew 125 athletes from Manitoba, Ontario and North Dakota.

Mother Laurie Kroeker says, “Melody had good fights. Her technique has noticeably improved since WCSG and a Brandon open  tournament in October [in which] she earned two silver medals, under-18 and under-21 categories.”

At the St. Boniface shiai, she had five rounds of competition against three opponents. Aged 16 and weighing less than 52 kilograms, she typically participates in under-18/under-52 and while she did that last Saturday, she was also entered in a combined class.

“This includes all women over 21 and can include black belts. In it, she fought a lady from Bottineau who is 46. She had been training since she was 15, mainly in Quebec, which is known for its high level training. She was impressed by Melody's technique and strength and was very surprised that she is only 16 given those things. She also fought a lady from Winnipeg who is in her early 30s, who is heavier than her. Both her competitors are in excellent shape and made her work hard; she did the same.”

Melody walked way with gold in under-18 and bronze in senior women’s combined weights (under-63 kilograms). As previously reported, judo is a family sport at the Kroeker home with father Walter and two of Melody’s four younger siblings participating. Ten-year-old Marita faced two opponents in her second year of competition; Laurie says, “She is a confident, focused and aggressive fighter like her older sister.” Melody began taking judo lessons nearly nine years ago and is currently a member of Brandon Judokan but she also travels to the capital city each month to train for the provincial team.