Judo brings sense of family to Ukrainian teen living in Nova Scotia

Fresh from winning gold in the under-18 division at Judo Canada'sOpen National Championships in Montreal last weekend, Sasha Kaplinsaid being part of a Nova Scotia team has been a big part of his success.

The 16-year-old Ukrainian refugee moved to Nova Scotia withhis family in April 2022, two monthsafter Russia invaded the country.

Kaplin said Nova United Martial Arts in Halifax has been a second family to him.

"In [a] family, you help each other," he said. "Theysay we need you? I say, 'OK, no problem.' And if I need them they will help me, too."

He said his first thought right after winning his gold medal in Montreal was that hewas one step closer to going to the world championships.

Jason Scott,the owner of Nova United Martial Arts and coach of Judo Nova Scotia, echoed Kaplin's view about the importance of belonging to a team.

"It's a big thing in judo," he said. "Without the backing of his teammates, I feel he wouldn't be as strong as he is today."

Scott said he expected Kaplin to win gold in Montreal,but his performance went beyond even those lofty expectations.

Kaplin was unable to be part of the Nova Scotia team at the Canada Games in P.E.I. this year because athletes are required tobe either permanent residents or Canadian citizens to participate.

Scottsaid Kaplin is able to compete in national championships because he has been a registered member of Judo Canada for over a year.

He said Judo Canada wrote a letter to the International Judo Federation to allow him to compete for Canada in international events.

Scott saidKaplin has already competed in one international competition in Germany and has qualified for theWorld Cadet Judo Championships in Croatia in August. That event is for athletes 18 and under.

"This is a really big deal for Sasha and judo in Nova Scotia andour NUMA club," Scott said."It's a pretty good accomplishment foreverybody."

Kaplinis still unable to compete in events in the U.S. since he can't obtain a visa due to his status in Canada, Scott said.

Looking to the future, Scott said, the hope is for Kaplin to be part of Canada's Olympic judo team.

Kaplin said he trains for about 20 hours a week and wants to be a surgeon one day.

Heunderstands that qualifying for the Olympic team won't be easy.

"I need time for the Olympics," he said. "You have to train, train, train, train and again train."