Brent Betsina, Team NWT’s judo silver medallist at last month’s Canada Winter Games, says he is no longer retiring – and that he’s already thinking about nationals in May.
When the 18-year-old won silver in Prince George on February 27, he told Moose FM: “I didn’t even care if I won gold, silver or bronze. I just wanted to fight because this was my last time doing competition. I’m retiring from judo.”
Read: Canada Games: NWT’s Brent Betsina Captures Silver In Judo
But now, Betsina admits the lure of future success is too strong to resist.
Following a celebration of his achievements in N’Dilo Wednesday night, Betsina told Moose FM he plans to carry on once he’s fully healthy.
The territory’s lone medallist at this year’s Canada Games suffered a myriad of injuries in Prince George but once he’s healed, he expects to resume practicing judo once a week and working out six times a week.
Betsina says he’s also thought about getting involved in other ways.
“I’m thinking about coaching and my coach has already told me that I’ll be coaching at the next Canada Winter Games so I’ll be ready for that,” Betsina said.
“I think the NWT can win medals if we really push ourselves. If your body can take it, still push yourself.
“Look at me. I broke my thumb, my jaw popped out and I cracked both my ankles. The only thing I told the ref was ‘tape me up, I’m still going to do this and I’m still going to win.’”
Betsina’s second-place finish at the Canada Games was the territory’s first medal since Hay River biathlete Brendan Green won gold in 2007.
