Carla Van Zyl might need a bigger space for all her awards.
On Saturday, the Hart Judo Academy standout was named the Under-21 Athlete of the Year by Judo BC.
It wasn’t her only accolade. Van Zyl was also named one of 15 local athletes to be recognized with a Rising Star Award (for young athletes 23-and-under) by the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame during its bi-annual Induction Banquet and Ceremony from the Conference and Civic Centre.
Last month, Van Zyl won a pair of gold medals in both the Junior and Senior –63 kilogram weight class at the Pan American Open from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
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In addition, Bruce Kamstra, who operates the Hart Judo Academy was given the Steve Sasaki Award. It is presented annually to a long-time member of Judo BC who best exemplifies the principles of Kodokan Judo.
Kamstra is the first local Sensei to win the award since 2017. Aline Strasdin of the Prince George Judo Club took the honour that year.
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