It may be a good thing that Harrison and Jack Hatton don’t fight in the same judo division.
If they ever did, the championship bout might become an epic.
The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School students occasionally square off when they train at the Jason Morris Judo Center in Glenville at head coach Jason Morris’ request.
We do this thing which is basically called sudden death overtime, or as we call it, the ‘golden minute,’` said Morris. `In a regular match, it would only be three minutes, but they;ve gone at it for 45 minutes without a winner. It’s amazing to watch.`
`It’s really neck and neck,` said Harrison, the older brother by two years. `I’ve beaten him a few times, and he’s beaten me a few times in a row.`
`We both have similar styles, so the one who wins is either the one who makes the better move or the one who doesn’t make a mistake,` said Jack.
The Hattons are hoping to throw their competition next weekend at the Junior Olympics in Irving, Texas. If they place in the top two of their weight classes in their respective age divisions, they will advance to the Junior World judo championships later this year.
`We both have trained very hard to get to this point where we’re competing with other judo athletes from around the country,` said Jack.
Morris said that the Hattons have styles that reflect their personalities ` Harrison is thoughtful and serious, while Jack smiles more and is quick to respond.
`Harrison is more like ‘The Terminator.’ His technique is superb, but he’s more systematic in his approach,` said Morris. `Jack is more freestyle.`
The Hattons took up judo as young children growing up in New York City. Their father, Mark, competed at a local club, and they both started when they were 5 years old.
`It was just a normal, recreational judo club,` said Harrison. `Most people went there looking for a workout.`
When Mark took a job in the Capital District four years ago, the Hattons joined the Jason Morris Judo Center. At that time, the Glenville center’s reputation as a top-notch training facility had grown nationally.
`[The move] was work for the most part, but if we were going to keep doing judo, what better place to do it than here?` said Harrison.
`We wanted more than [a recreational club],` said Jack. `That’s why we searched for a place like this.`
The Hattons said that the competitive nature of training with some of the top judo athletes in the nation helped them become better at the sport.
`Seeing how consistently hard they work makes me want to do that,` said Harrison.
`They take a beating [in training sessions], especially since they are in that transitional phase between the junior and senior levels,` said Morris. `So, they get to work with Brad Bolen and Nick Kossor and Tony Sangimino on a regular basis.`
Jack has taken his judo talents to the high school wrestling mat, too. He competed for the BH-BL wrestling team this past winter and was looking at qualifying for the state tournament before he broke his arm late in the regular season.
`When I wrestle, I’m doing judo,` said Jack.
Ultimately, though, the Hattons see judo as a sport that they can continue to excel in beyond their junior level days.
`When you get to that [senior] level, that’s when the real judo starts,` said Harrison.
`Just to see Nick Kossor and Brad Bolen ` a couple of seniors members who are ranked No. 1 in the country ` nothing tells me that I can’t do that,` said Jack.“
