Two Peterborough Girls Grapple to Gold At National Judo Championships

Akshila Amarasinghe and Avery Fam of Ninja Academy in Peterborough grappled and threw their way to gold at the National Judo Championships in Montréal on May 22-23.

Akshila Amarasinghe (left), Paul Teleki (middle) and Avery Fam (right) after the trio celebrate the girls’ success in Montréal. Photo courtesy of Ninja Academy.

“What makes this a spectacular result is not only the national result but that they learned and competed in complex katas designed for high rank black belt gradings as well,” said Paul Teleki, Ninja Academy sensei. “Akshila and Avery have been training up to five days every week over the past several months and you can only achieve these results through countless hours of dedication.”

Both girls have earned Gold in Ju-no-kata previously, once in October 2023 at the Ontario Kata Championships and again in April 2024 at the Tora Invitational in Brampton. They earned bronze in Kodokan Goshin Jutsu in April.

“In their training they have already started sharing their knowledge with their peers, resulting in a positive ripple effect for students of all ages,” said Teleki. “They are trailblazers in their age category and I believe they will inspire judoka of all ages to pursue these difficult katas in the future.”

The Ninja Academy is shifting its focus on launching its first Ninja Olympics event at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre on June 23 for elementary-aged kids.

The event has a fair of activities and challenges with awards for kids in their respective age categories. Teleki says the event will help kids and families understand their athletic potential in a fun event.

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Ninja Academy Brings Home Nine Medals From Two Weekend Tournaments

Ninja Academy brought home nine medals from the Ontario Judo Kata Championships on the weekend in two separate events.

Photo courtesy of Ninja Academy.

Avery Fam and Akshila Amarasighe scored Gold in performing in the intermediate division ind Ju-no-kata (an ancient form consisting of two partners synchronized while showing incredible strength, control and flexibility). Orion Teleki and Mason Gilmour earned a silver in Nage-no-kata (consisting of a series of complex throwing techniques involving a tori [thrower] and uke [receiver]). Both pairs were the youngest to ever compete at this tournament.

Sensei Paul Teleki also earned a Silver with his partner Sensei Alessandro Zattiero in the form of Katame-no-kata. It involves a series of hold-downs, chokes and arm submission techniques.

On Sunday, six judoka competed at the Ajax Budokan Shiai to bring home two gold and four silver medals. Peyton Cytowicz and Benjamin O’Bomsawin each brought with the former winning all of her matches with the highest score of ippon and beating athletes of higher rank.

Alexa Hendriks, Ryan Kuntz, Samuel Barnes-Watson and Phoenix Teleki brought silver home.

“Our team has been training tirelessly at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre day-in and day-out to prepare for these tournaments and the results from their perseverance and drive at such a young age will have lasting effects on the entire Academy,” explained Teleki. “our leadership team is also growing, and their expectations of and dedication to the athletes is having very tangible results.”

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Local Girl Earns Gold Medal In U16 Female Judo Tournament in Brampton; Ninja Academy Brings Home Seven Medals

Avery Fam of Peterborough’s Ninja Academy captured gold at the Tora Judo Tournament in Brampton in the Gold in U16 Female Division on Sunday.

Photo courtesy of Ninja Academy.

“Our athletes have been training up to five days every week over the past several months and the results can be seen in their accomplishments,” said Paul Teleki, Ninja Academy instructor. “Avery’s successful results are owing to her dedication, commitment and perseverance, we are all proud and inspired by her achievements.”

Fam’s teammates Alexa Hendriks, Orion Teleki, and Liam Brown brought home silver while Benjamin O’Bomsawin and Hunter Lawson earned bronze medals in the tournament. Teleki joined the club with a bronze medal in the 73 kg. Masters division.

Photo courtesy of Ninja Academy.

“When we all focus on the success of our athletes as our end goal, the results become evident,” said Teleki.

Ninja Academy has launched its adult Judo programs on Tuesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre.

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Local Boy Crowned Winter Chess Tournament Champion By Ninja Academy

Nolan Middel has been crowned the Winter Chess Tournament Champion held by local dojo Ninja Academy announced Thursday.

MIddel (middle) holding his trophy after becoming champion of the winter chess tournament is seen holding his trophy for the tournament with judoka Georges David-Gnahoui (right) and Sensei Paul Teleki (left). Photo courtesy of Ninja Academy.

“All matches were so captivating to see young minds at work, thinking several moves ahead and strategizing with precision, it was amazing to witness,” exclaimed Paul Teleki.

“The most common attribute amongst the competitors was their courage,” explains David-Gnahoui. “To throw themselves into the tournament, considering everything that is happening in society right now, is a great achievement.”

Middel interests contributed to his success in the tournament according to Teleki including mathematics, creative writing, martial arts, swordsmanship and illustration.

The young champion also hosts a Youtube account called “KingletCrown Tada” that features several videos of the popular game “Minecraft” and other creative building toys.

Registration for the Academy’s Summer Chess Tournament is now open.

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Martial Arts Academy Crowns Three New Chess Champions

After a week of thinking and logic, the Ninja Academy has crowned Lyrik Knott, David Connell and Mike Forth as their summer chess tournament winners announced on Monday.

(left to right) All three winners of each division, Mike Forth (Senior champion), David Connell (U13 champion) and Lyrik Knott (U7 champion) Photo Courtesy of Ninja Academy.

The tournament was announced in mid-August held by Ninja Academy during the week of Aug. 30 to Sept. 3. The all-ages event hosted had three separate divisions where Knott won the U7 tournament, Connell for the U13 and Forth as the Senior champion.

“The common attribute amongst the winners of all categories was their courage,” explains David-Gnahoui. “To throw themselves into the tournament, considering everything that is happening in society right now, is a great achievement. They tested their skills with amazing competitors in their own categories and they kept their cool, stayed focused and took their time. I hope they take this accomplishment wherever they go in life, especially Judo.”

Since the tournament’s conclusion, the Academy will refocus on teaching Judo classes at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre as well as launching their new athletic development program for school-aged children.

The Academy says they will hold future chess tournaments and tutoring according to their press release.

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Martial Arts Academy Training Peterborough Chess Minds

Training the mind is just as important as training the body for Ninja Academy as they will host an all-ages summer chess tournament announced on Friday.

Georges David-Gnahoui (top) teaches a chess lesson to a young student. The Ninja Academy was formed in 2015 by founding Sensei Paul Teleki and operates in partnership with the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre. Photo Courtesy of Ninja Academy.

Their first tournament will be held during the week of August 30th to September 3rd. Coaching will be provided for participating learners.

Ninja Academy students and parents requested the tournament with coaching from Georges David-Gnahoui.

“Students have been working diligently to test their chess skills and I am happy to see their competitive attitude,” he said.

Students are now eager to expand their skills beyond their peers into the wider community and the tournament is spread out over the week to accommodate safe competitive spaces according to the release.

The Academy has 140+ students, 5 youth Ninja Leaders and apprentices. Photo Courtesy of Ninja Academy.

Depending on the weather, matches may be held at local parks or covered spaces. The academy is providing tutoring opportunities to people who register for the tournament.

Awards will be given to the winners while all competitors will earn a certificate of participation. Every match will be video recorded for review purposes, without the faces of participants and to allow families to watch the match remotely.

“During the lockdowns, chess has become a growing opportunity for our students and this will also help them to compete and grow in other areas as well,” says David-Gnahoui.

The Ninja Academy coaches students towards competitive Judo podiums. They said chess will sharpen the minds of students to support their competitive martial arts.

Registrants will be grouped into their age brackets and competitors will be selected at random to compete.

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Peterborough Ninja's Crush It At Ajax Judo Tournament, Academy Continues To Grow In Popularity

Ninja Academy student’s grit and determination was tested on Sunday, February 9th in Ajax to bring home medals from the Shiai (tournament) that hosted young judoka from all across Ontario.

Logan Dunbar won all his matches to secure a Gold in his division, Luis Sperling demonstrated three beautiful throws to get Silver in his division, and Elijah Falls fought diligently to secure his Bronze medal finish with an excellent demonstration of ukemi. Orion Teleki competed in the Ukemi Competition and secured a Gold medal finish with thanks to Sensei Tomoyoshi Hino.

Photo courtesy Ninja Academy

“All Judoka are being celebrated for their courage to compete and commitment to self- improvement,” says Sensei Paul Teleki, pictured above with the students. “They always show up focused and determined to improve themselves and others around them, and it is because of their dedication that all students in the academy will also benefit from their experience and knowledge when they return and train together.”

Because the Ninja Academy is a young club, all students competed against judoka who were of higher rank and age, so the feat of competing in this tournament came with an increased challenge.

Photo courtesy Ninja Academy

The Ninja Academy was formed in 2015 by founding Sensei Paul Teleki and operates in partnership with the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre. It instills values of confidence and respect, all the while promoting fitness and physical awareness.

The academy is growing in popularity quickly, and now has 135+ students, 5 youth Ninja Leaders and apprentices. Residents of all ages—classes are offered from 16 months old to adults—are invited to visit the Ninja Academy on Fridays at 7:15 p.m. at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre in room MPR-A.

Visit ninjaacademy.ca, call 705.868.8683 or email here to learn more about the Ninja Academy.

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