Jeff Allen of the Huntsville Judo Club has been taking his talent all over Canada and the US this year competing in tournaments. He travelled to Florida in February 2018 for the Cherry Blossom International Open where he was able to capture the Gold medal.
He also won two more Gold medals at the Boston Summer Games, which earned him a spot to fight in the USA National Championship, “I fought a long hard day of fights and came out on top as the USA Heavyweight Champion.”
Jeff has worked hard training, competing and recovering from injuries through rehab since 2015. Jeff’s most successful moments were winning the Gold in the 2015 Heavyweight Canadian Judo Championships after eliminating eight different fighters in his division.
The Town of Huntsville recognized Jeff and awarded him for representing Huntsville after winning the Canadian Heavyweight Championships. His Judogi (uniform) that he was wearing for his big win now hangs in the Summit Center along with a display in honour of his success.
Allen also attended the 2015 World Judo Championships in Amsterdam, “I fought very well in the first round, beating Germany from my division and losing in the second round to the future champ of France. I was very happy with my finish in eighth place.”
Making a comeback, Jeff returned to the World Heavyweight Judo Championships in Fort Lauderdale in 2016 where he only lost one fight against one of the biggest opponents he has ever faced in his career, weighing in at over 400 lbs, “I was able to beat him in a long dragged out fight and bring home the Bronze medal to Canada.”
After a tough year in 2017, enduring a torn ACL right before Nationals and then a bicep rupture which he needed surgery to repair and had to attend rehab, Jeff has returned and is motivated to push himself and show his dedication in his passion of Judo. He is working hard, strength training for more of the upcoming challenging Judo competitions.
Jeff’s end goal for 2018 is to become stronger than ever and to bring home the Gold from the 2018 World Heavyweight Judo Championships at the end of October in Cancun Mexico. He does it for Huntsville, Canada and his supporting family, friends and fans.
Photos supplied by Crystal Allen
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I’m proud of Jeff and his passion and commitment for judo ,his love for family ,friends and community, keep up the great work Jeff