ESG - Judo
KinTora students take silver, bronze
by JASON NADOLINSKI Reporter

Williamsville North junior-to-be Kaitlyn Barone, second from right, was one of four Western Region medalists in judo at this past week's 30th annual Empire State Games. Barone brought home a silver in the open women's 48-kilogram weight class. Photo by Jason Nadolinski Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

There's never a shortage of options when it comes to the quest to stay youthful, but for Elma resident Carol Boulet, the fountain of youth isn't a fountain at all - it's a padded mat.

Boulet's method of choice for staying young is competing in judo, a pursuit that took her to Byram Hills High School this past week for the 30th annual Empire State Games. Despite a three-year layoff from the sport, Boulet earned a bronze medal in the open women's 57-kilogram division.

"This was my second tournament back after having not competed for a couple of years," Boulet said after Friday's medal round. "I've been doing judo for 30 years now, ever since I first took it as part of a gym class at Buffalo State College. I just wanted to start competing again; I can't shake it."

Boulet, who has competed in the Games nearly a dozen other times, went 1-2 for the tournament. All of Boulet's bouts were decided by throws.

Boulet confessed she didn't feel quite back up to the level she was at before her extended absence from the sport but was also pleased with her performance, considering it had been so long in between tournaments.

"I wasn't up to 100 percent strength-wise compared to before, but I wasn't winded," Boulet said. "I know I've still got to build up my legs more, because that's what a lot of judo is. You've got to have anaerobic endurance, which means strong legs."

Boulet, who estimates she'll possibly get back to competing once a month once she really gets back into her full training regimen, plans to compete next in a masters tournament in Quebec in October. Until then, she'll be at her home club, KinTora Judo Club of Buffalo, working on her techniques and will also throw in some weight training and biking to get the necessary power back into her legs.

"I just love the sport," Boulet said. "It keeps me in good shape. I just wish there were more females out there because it'll keep you young forever."

Boulet wasn't the only KinTora student to medal at this year's Games, however.

Williamsville North junior-to-be Kaitlyn Barone brought home a silver in the open women's 48-kilogram weight class, even though she was choked out in her first match, and her countermove was countered in her second match, giving her an 0-2 record for the tournament. It was her second consecutive silver finish at the Games.

"I grew up with the sport because my dad (Western region coach Sal Barone) is a black belt," Barone said. "I've pretty much been doing it since I was a baby."

Kaitlyn Barone also said that her work in judo has helped her in the gymnastics arena. Like many other sports pairings, judo has been only beneficial for Barone's gymnastics routines, and vice versa.

"They help each other as far as balance and strength go," Barone said. "It works out real well for me."

Western's other judo participants included Buffalo residents Dursun Tursunov (open men's 60 kg), Joao Moreira (open men's 81 kg) and Max Grundy (open men's 90 kg); Eden's Steven Indalecio (open men's 100 kg); Rochester's Scott Yockel (open men's 73 kg), Kerry Forster (open women's 70 kg) and Kayleigh McAuliff (open women's 78 kg); and Webster's Kristina Fahy (open women's 63 kg) and Jennifer Samborski (open women's open weight).