Judo Federation of Australia

FLAT OUT: Jake Mirabito shows the skill that took him to two gold medals at the national judo championships at Mt Gravatt last month.

JAKE Mirabito has taken out two gold medals at the Judo Federation of Australia national championships this year. The 15-year-old St Laurence’s student at Mt Gravatt last month bettered his 2009 performance of one gold and one silver.

He took out gold in the under-81kg cadets before backing up to add another gold to his trophy cabinet in the open event. The performance earned Mirabito a place on the national team to contest the Oceania Championships in Canberra next month.

He also fought in the young men’s division but missed the hat-trick, bowing out at the hands of the eventual winner. Fellow YMCA-trained athletes Wade Salmon and Aska Connell performed strongly in their respective tilts.

THUMBS UP: Jake Mirabito, 15, will represent Australia after winning the under-81kg cadets and open sections of a national competition.

YMCA Judo Club members returned some outstanding results from the Judo Federation of Australia national competition held at Mt Gravatt last month. Jake Mirabito bettered his 2009 performance with a gold in the under-81kg cadets before backing up to add another goldmedal to his trophy cabinet in the open event.

The performance earned the 15-year-old a place on the national team and in the Australian Institute of Sport squad. Meanwhile, teammates Wade Salmon and Aska Connell performed strongly in their respective tilts, with Connell earning particular praise from coach Maurie Mirabito in his maiden appearance in state colours.

Source: sports extra with Matt Johnston >> johnstonmat@qst.newsltd.com.au