Shayne Melanson produced the best Yukon result in 15 years at the national judo championships last weekend.

The youngster earned fifth place in the -73kg U16 category, impressing his coach in the process.

“He has improved since last year and has shown hard work and dedication this year,” said Bianca Ockedahl, head coach for Judo Yukon.

“I am really happy that his hard work is starting to pay off.”

Judo Canada’s 2015 Open National Championships were held in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., over the long weekend.

Melanson was one of three U16 judokas representing the Yukon under the direction of high performance coach Ockedahl.

Hannah King and Brandon Butler also competed in their first national championships.

Melanson was the lone veteran of the group after competing at nationals last year in the -66kg category.

He returned this year in a heavier weight class and began his tournament with a first-round bye.

In his first fight, he took on Quebec’s Tom Martineau, scoring a yuko – a five-point score – seconds into the fight by using a counterattack.

He completed the trick again later to secure the win.

In the semifinals, Melanson took on Ontario’s Benjamin Kendrick, to whom he had dropped his first-round match at last year’s competition.

The quicker Kendrick threw Melanson for an ippon, sending the Yukoner to one of two bronze medal matchups.

There, Melanson took on Quebec’s Anton Dickson, who caught the Yukon judoka with an ippon throw to hand him his second straight loss.

King fought in the -63kg category. Fresh back on the mat following an injury, she gained some good experience in her two bouts, but did not place.

Like Melanson, Butler fought in the -73kg category. And like King, Butler battled back from an injury prior to nationals.

After losing his first bout, he forfeited his repechage fight in an attempt to not aggravate the injury further.

Last year, the Yukon returned to national competition with four competitors after a brief hiatus.

This year’s trip to the Canadian championships was made possible thanks in part to Air Care Yukon and Superior Roofing and Renovation.

Nationals is not the end of the road for these athletes, Ockedahl said.

They will participate in a week-long training camp this summer in Lethbridge, Alta., and Outlook, Sask., before heading to Fort McMurray for the Western Summer Canada Games in August.