Five Locals Make Judo Worlds

DOHA, QATAR — Five athletes from the Glenville-based Jason Morris Judo Center have qualified to compete for Team USA at the World Judo Championships in Doha, Qatar, May 7-14.

Ari Berliner, Kell Berliner, Alex Knauf, Hannah Martin and Nicole Stout all were named to the team. Ari Berliner will be the 66kg representative and be competing in his second straight Worlds. Kell Berliner (81kg) will also be going to his second worlds, having made the team for the first time in 2017.

This will be Knauf’s second time attending the Worlds, as he qualified last year. Stout (78kg) is making her third trip to Worlds, having made it in 2022 and 2017. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School graduate Hannah Martin (63kg) is making a JMJC record eighth appearance at the worlds, with her best results coming in 2013 when she finished ninth.

The JMJC has now placed an athlete in 14 straight worlds, starting in 2005, with five representatives this year being the most since having five athletes in 2011. The JMJC has placed a remarkable 54 athletes on the world team since its inception in 2000. Ari Berliner, Alex Knauf & Hannah Martin also represent the New York Athletic Club. Knauf trains at the Cohen Brothers Judo Club when he is home in Chicago, Illinois.