Judokas of all ages broke in a brand-new set of mats Saturday morning in Golden Horn, kicking off another season for Judo Yukon.

The tournament was held at Golden Horn Elementary School.

By early afternoon, 13 new gold medallists had been named, with two more divisions ending in draws.

“I was pretty impressed with today’s performances,” tournament director Michael Bellon said. “They were very eager. It’s good to see.”

Eleven-year-old Ben Machtans from the Northern Lights Judo Club earned victory in the U12 -39 kg intermediate division.

“Some of the people were really good – like Eban Basnett and Daniel Tonner,” Machtans said of his road to gold.

The Ecole Whitehorse Elementary School student said he prepared for his bouts by watching his rivals’ bouts.

“I looked at what they did and tried to use that,” said Machtans, who hopes to trade his orange belt in for green this season.

Nine-year-old Mackenzie Tonner, also of Northern Lights, earned gold in the U10 -30 kg division.

“It was fun to have some competition,” the Ecole Whitehorse Elementary student said. “(The gold) shows I’m working hard.”

Other winners included Kenny Hyatt (2), Jayden Iskra, Jana Lojand, Luke Roberts, Darrien James, Brennan Little, Emersyne Siase, Mackenzie Bolduc, Taia Zakus and Rogan Parry.

Two ties occurred in U8 divisions, with both Gabriel Racine and Alex Lojang, and Kenai Bryden and Carter Little, battling to draws.

Club standings from the Golden Horn tournament have not yet been tallied, Judo Yukon president Peter Melanson said today.

Today is World Judo Day.