Brooke Ellis, 9, and her younger brother, Peyton, 8, both won first place in the country at the National Junior Olympics Judo Championship in Irving, Texas. The two have traveled many times for Judo competitions, going to Massachusetts, New Jersey and they will be going to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for the Junior U.S. Open Judo Championships, which is an international competition.

Sister and brother, both students at Scott Elementary, only started Judo last year and have excelled since. Peyton is also a talented wrestler, winning both the state and New England championships two times. He began Judo to keep physically active between wrestling seasons. Brooke was also interested and the sibling duo had natural talent for the sport.

They began competing in national and regional competitions at the advice of their sensei, Serge Boussouyo at Mayo Quanchi Wrestling and Judo.

In Judo, divisions are chosen by kilos, not pounds. So in Texas, Brooke had to compete against four other girls in the 26 kilos bracket. Peyton fought in the 23 kilos bracket as the lightest competitor. He competed against six other fighters and still came out on top. Both won gold and are thus number one for their weight categories in the nation.

Both children train very hard and are hoping to compete in the Olympics.

Their mother, Cathy Ellis, said, “They absolutely love the sport. And besides being a very physical, fighting sport, Judo is a very disciplined sport. It is also an individual sport you’re fighting alone; that builds a lot of confidence and self-esteem.

It is a way of life that promotes a healthy lifestyle.”