Declan Lippman, 8, to compete in Judo Youth Nationals
Published in the February 9, 2018 edition
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—It’s not very often that an eight-year-old gets a chance to compete on the national stage.
But that honor goes to Melrose’s Declan Lippman, who will be traveling to the U.S.A. Judo Youth Nationals on March 3 and 4 in York, PA. The event is expected to draw as many as 700 competitors across the country and 900 spectators. The eight-year-old Roosevelt School student is a member of Pedro’s Judo Studio in Wakefield and is coached by Sensei Riley MciIlwain, Program Director of Jimmy Pedro’s Judo Center.
MELROSE’S DECLAN Lippman, 8, will compete in the USA Judo Youth Nationals in March in York, PA. He is pictured with Sensei Riley McIlwain. (courtesy photo)
He joins fifteen athletes from Pedro’s who will travel to compete in the high stakes competition after he and his teammates earned spots in the competitive season. A highlight is their 2nd place finish in the New England Championships in October. For some athletes, like Lipman, this will be his first appearance. According to his sensei Riley McIllwain, its the result of a lot of hard work.
“This group dedicated many hours and worked so hard and now they are happy to represent their dojo nationally,” he said. “Many of our kids train five days a week. This builds great experience. It’s not common for kids this age to compete on a National level so I expect to see some nervous faces. But it is a springboard to a great future in this sport for them.”
Declan joins teammates Xavier Moreau, Victoria Minor, Sofia Arya, Cameron Arya, Dylan Greenstein, Dylan Galex, Shelby Galex, Devin Leggett, Katherine Lieby, Rian Russo, Nate Blanchette, Skylar Hattendorf and Domenico Ternullo on their trip to Pennsylvania.
According to Lipman’s coach, the young athlete set out specific goals this season, and in doing so won the Travis Stevens Competitive Spirit Award and the Kayla Harrison Goal Setting award. “He surpassed his goals,” says his coach. “He blew us away this season.”
Declan began taking judo when he was 5 years old and, right now, has a clear goal in mind: “To win a medal at Junior Nationals.”
Declan tells the Melrose Weekly that he is looking forward to traveling to Nationals with his family and teammates. “Because I’ll be able to compete with the best kids in judo.”
When asked what his favorite thing is in competing in Judo he gave a wise answer. “The goal of judo is not to be better than anyone else, it is to be better than you were yesterday.”
Overall, it’s been a memorable experience for the eight-year-old. “I have made really good friends at judo,” he said. “Competing in matches sometimes means you compete against your friends. That’s okay, because you are helping each other get better at judo.”
