Wilton High School rising junior Peter Swierczynski won four medals recently at the Judo US Open in Fort Lauderdale, FL, including two gold and two silver medals in multiple categories.
The competition took place July 26-28, with over 2,000 attendees from the United States and abroad.
Swierczynski fought in four events, winning silver in his two high-stakes matches and two gold medals in the ‘Golden Score’ category:
- Cadet/Advanced/Over 90kg (Silver)
- International Judo Federation (IJF) Junior/Advanced/Over 100kg (Silver)
- Golden Score — IJF Junior/Over 100kg (Gold)
- Golden Score -— Cadet/Over 90kg (Gold)
Swierczynski started practicing judo at age five and became serious about competing in eighth grade. At the 2023 US Open, he brought home three medals (two gold and one silver). He usually practices three times a week at the Stamford Judo Club under Sensei Chris Angle (a sixth-dan teacher in judo).
Swierczynski created the Martial Arts and Self-Defense Club at WHS for other students interested in combat sports. He is also on the WHS varsity football team, where he says his judo skills help him.