Calgary, Alberta – Nate Keeve (28) and Hannah Martin (35) from the Glenville, NY based, Jason Morris Judo Center put together fantastic performances and earned bronze medals in the Pan Am/Oceania Judo Championships, September 15-16 in Canada held at the Calgary Olympic Park. This was Martin’s fourth 63kg medal at Pan Ams in her career having won bronzes also in 2013, 2017 & 2019. Martin’s only loss was an overtime thriller to eventual champ, Katharina Haecker (AUS) in the semifinal. Martin also had a big win against longtime rival and 2x Pan Am Champ, Maylin Del Toro Carvajal (CUB) to tie up their head to head series 2-2. Martin gained valuable points on the Olympic qualifying list moving up 8 spots to #32. Keeve scored his second 100kg overall bronze (2021) at the pan ams finishing his run off with a significant first time win over Rafael Buzacarini (BRA) in the bronze medal match. Keeve jumps 20 slots to #39 to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games. Both Keeve and Martin are on remarkable comebacks. Keeve missed a year having to repair a torn ACL in his knee August 2021 and Martin had a baby girl (Zoey) in May 2021. Alex Knauf (21) placed 5th at 90kg and Ari Berliner (24) took 7th for the JMJC at 66kg to earn valuable world ranking points. Berliner is also on a successful comeback from ACL surgery he had in August 2022. Kell Berliner (29), Melissa Myers (27) and Nicole Stout (26) all fought well but were eliminated in the first round to close out the JMJC participation at this years Pan Ams. Athletes from the Jason Morris Judo Center have now won 26 Pan Am medals in its 23 year history as well as having now placed at least one athlete on the Pan Am team for 20 straight years which is unprecedented in USA Judo. The JMJC also has placed four athletes on the team 7 times and had 3 athletes 5 times. Ari Berliner, Keeve, Knauf & Martin also represent the New York Athletic Club. “All the kids performed well under high level pressure and I couldn’t be prouder of them” 4x Olympian & JMJC Owner, Jason Morris said after coaching them. Morris is also a long time member of the NYAC.
Photos: Hannah Martin and Nate Keeve pose with their coach in Calgary celebrating their bronze medal performance.