Chris Knapp (top) gets the upper hand over an opponent in a recent meet.

Chris Knapp of Sutter Creek started his Judo competition season off this year with an awesome win at the Amador Judo Tournament in Livermore on April 17. In the 12-year-old male mixed-belt, 110 to 132-pound division, Knapp took home the first-place trophy. It was an outstanding day for Knapp in that he had six matches in his pool and ended each match victorious, pinning each of his competitors.

Knapp trains very hard in Kodokan Judo at his dojo in Sacramento and is hoping to make it to the United States Judo Federation (USJF) National Championships to be held in Irvine in July. Knapp also gave well-deserved credit for help with his ground-work on Sunday to his wrestling coach of the Amador Knights of the Amador County Youth Wrestling Program, Gary Landergen. Landergen is also the head coach of the Argonaut High wrestling team and the school's athletic director. Coach Landergen and all his assistant coaches worked hard with all the boys again this year and it really showed.

Knapp's schedule has also been busy with training and competing in another sport, traditional Japanese karate.

At the United States National Karate Federation (USANKF) National Regional Qualifier in Stockton on April 10, Knapp took the gold medal in boys advanced 12-year-old Kata and the bronze medal in advanced Kumite (fighting). His gold medal in Kata moved him forward to compete for the USANKF State Championship Belt along with all gold medal male and female advanced division winners ranging in age from 13 years old and younger. Knapp did not win the State belt, but he got to be among a prestigious group of other Kata gold medalists from California.

Knapp will be training and learning to become proficient in Judo using arm bars and chokes. Sunday's Judo tournament is one of many he will compete in to make it to the national championships this year. His whole family is very proud of him.