Dakota Webb from Victoria, B.C., and Prince Albert's Jannessa Keays (right) pose with their medals at the Edmonton International Judo Championship. (Submitted photo/Robyn Keays)

By Jeff D'Andrea

P.A.’s Keays can’t compete in European Cup in judo due to COVID-19

Mar 12, 2020 | 4:22 PM

Thanks to some great performances throughout the judo season from Prince Albert’s Jannessa Keays, she earned her way to qualify to global judo events in Portugal and Germany.

But she won’t be able to attend either due to concerns surrounding COVID-19.

“I was really disappointed,” Keays said. “All the training, and all the hours put into it. Not being able to go is really disappointing.”

Keays was notified that she qualified well in advance for the European Cup events in Coimbra, Portugal on March 14 to 15 and in Berlin, Germany at the end of April, but didn’t find out until last week that it was getting postponed. Keays said she was supposed to leave for Portugal on Wednesday.

“I was supposed to leave [Wednesday] for Portugal, but I learned about that one and not being able to go last week. And we just found out on Monday that I wouldn’t be going to Germany.”

Made in Saskatchewan

Find My Plus One: The Canadian App for Getting Out and Living Your Best Life

Mar 09, 2026

Riderville

Ask Not for Whom the Ed Hervey Tampering Window Opens!

Feb 02, 2026

Seniors Scene

New Year - New Habits

Feb 02, 2026

Keays is coming off a big time performance at the 2020 Edmonton International Judo Championship March 7-8, winning a gold medal in the Under-18 division and a bronze at the senior division.

On the horizon for Keays are two more international tournaments, European Cups in Leibnitz, Austria on May 30-31 and in Birmingham, England on June 6-7. As of now, those are still on-going.

“They’re still a go. And if I can go, I’ll be very excited to go,” Keays said. “I’ve never been to Austria before.”

–

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW