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Team USA at Pan Am Games in Guadalajara

October 26, 2011 - Anthony Turner, 100+ kg ( Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center, Coral Springs, FL), fought his way back from a first-match loss to take bronze at the prestigious Pan American Games in Guadalajara today. Here he is with coaches celebrating (left to right), USA Judo's Director of High Peformance Eddie Liddie; Turner's coach at Ki-Itsu-Sai and head coach of the PanAmerican Team, Jhonny Prado; bronze medalist Turner; Team Manager Christopher T. Skelley; and Team Trainer Lorne MacDonald.

October 27, 2011 – Team USA’s Kayla Harrison, 78kg (Team FORCE, Pedro's Judo Center, Wakefield, MA) once again demonstrated to the world that she is a champion of champions, besting rivals to take the gold medal in Guadalajara today at the Pan American Games.  Placing fifth today for Team USA in judo were Jake Larsen, 90 kg (Boulder Judo Training Center/OTC, CO) and Katie Sell, 70kg (Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO).

October 28, 2011 – Kenny Hashimoto today added a silver to the medals taken by Team USA at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara.

Fighting in the 66 kilo division, Hashimoto hails from San Jose State University, California, and Northglenn Judo in Colorado.

Taking bronze today alongside Hashimoto were Hana Charmichael, 57 kg (Team FORCE, Wakefield, Mass.), and Christal Ransom, 63 kg (Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO).

October 29, 2011 – Team USA added three more bronze medals to their collection on the last day of an extremely successful Pan American Games in Guadalajara.

Angelica Delgado, 52 kg (Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center, Coral Springs, FL), Aaron Kunihiro, 60 kg (Team FORCE, Wakefield, Mass.) and Angela Woosley, 48 kg (Jason Morris Judo Center, Glenville, NY) each took a bronze today.

The US judoka are now headed home with one gold, one silver and six bronze. “I am really pleased with the success of our team,” said Jhonny Prado, head coach of USA Judo’s team for the Pan American Games.

USA Judo’s CEO Jose H. Rodriguez described the Games as a huge success. “USA Judo thanks the Mexican people for their energy and hospitality. The crowds were amazing, the venue fantastic.”

Judo competition began on Wednesday. The highlight of the day came when Anthony Turner, 100+ kg (Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center, Coral Springs, FL) took bronze. The pace accelerated on day two when Kayla Harrison, 78 kg (Team FORCE, Wakefield, Mass.) took gold in a field of fighters stacked with a World and Olympic medalist. “Once again, Kayla showed what a true champion does when faced with the challenge,” Prado said.

“Day three was by far our best results,” Prado said. “Kenny Hashimoto, 66 kg (San Jose State University/Northglenn Judo), pulled through nicely, earning a silver medal, and Christal Ransom, 63 kg (Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO), fought smart and stayed with our game plan to win in over-time by flags for her bronze. Hana Carmichael, 57 kg (Team FORCE, Wakefield, Mass.) was on her game and toughed thru a rough match.”

Today, Team USA ended the Pan Am Games three-for-three on the medal count.

Aaron Kunihiro “had a tough loss to Brazil,” Prado said, “but came back strong to beat Canada for the bronze. Aaron out-hustled and was able to get off his throws.”

Angelica Delgado, 52 kg (Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center, Coral Springs, FL) lost to the 2008 Olympic silver medalist from Cuba but came back strong to win bronze, Coach Prado said.

“The pleasant surprise of the day was Angela Woosley,” Prado said. Woosley, 48 kg  (Jason Morris Judo Center, Genville, NY) was able to outperform her Mexican opponent in front of the home crowd for the bronze medal.

“Having 85-percent of our athletes in the medal rounds, this might be our most successful Games in recent times,” Prado said.

“It’s a pleasure to coach this group. USA Judo and our staff has done a great job in developing the ‘Team’”, Prado said. “I would like to extend our appreciation to the US Olympic Committee for doing a great job in servicing our team. It was second to none."