Andrew Bell (L) and Charles Laidlaw (R) go head-to-head in a state of origin judo battle at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
Saturday 5 November 2016
By Brayden Williams
On the second day of the Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games (JPPMG) there were many battles taking place on the competition floor. However the open black belt fight between Brisbane’s 53-year-old Andrew Bell and Coffs Harbour’s Charles Laidlaw, 43, was one to remember.
Both athletes competed valiantly for their respective states, creating an incredible atmosphere in the hall.
Following the fight, Canadian born and passionate Sydney local Charles discussed his win over the Queenslander and described judo as unique because of the primal element involved.
“Judo is one of the few sports that are primal, when you’re fighting someone it is almost instinctual because inside we are all still cavemen, and competitions like this one allow me to remember that,” Charles said.
“I am glad I have the opportunity to continue practising judo at competitions like this one.”
Charles’s opponent Andrew also loves coming to the masters game, attending both the 2012 and 2014 events, where he claimed a gold and a silver medal in the 2014 competition.
Regardless of the friendly rivalry between local, interstate and international teams, Andrew just loves coming to the event.
“I have been doing judo since I was 12 and I love coming to the JPPMG, because it allows me to keep competing” Andrew said.
“I will be back in 2018.”
Both Andrew and Charles tied and received a bronze medal in the event.
The 10th biennial Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games is being held 5 – 13 November 2016 on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
The event showcases competition in 43 sports and is hosting 13,000 participants from Queensland, interstate and overseas.
