Sherry Nelson

 

Sherry, along with her brother and sister, started judo fairly young. She advanced through the ranks as the years passed.  She became a member of Team Alberta in her early teens and competed at both Junior and Senior Nationals as a team member.  Her first experience at Nationals was in 2002 along with her sister, Amy.  Future years continued with Sherry representing Alberta at National events across Canada.

In junior and senior high school Sherry was a member of the basketball team in which she played point guard.  Her judo skills and respect of sport allowed her to advance at this sport becoming a team leader.  But, at the end of the day, judo was her passion.

At 18 Sherry graded and passed her black belt (Shodan) promotion. Unfortunately, repeated concussions forced her to stop competing at the level she had become accustomed to; but this did not stop her from continuing with judo.  This is when she started giving back to the sport she had grown up with.  Sherry obtained her Level 1 NCCP Coaching Certification and became the lead instructor at her home club for the “grasshoppers” which were new  members who were white belts and most were 8 years old or younger.

 She continued to teach while she went to school for a Hairstylist and for several years after.  During this time Sherry became an up and coming judo ref obtaining her Provincial B certification.  Knowing the sport as an athlete and now as a ref gave her a better understanding for teaching the sport.

Sherry also trains at Hayabusa with one-on-one training and bootcamp.