Tournament is key to qualifying for Paralympics in London next year

November 15, 2011 – USA Judo has a team of athletes headed to the Parapan American Games in Guadalajara hunting for top competition and points to qualify for the Paralympic Games in London next year. Judo matches begin Friday.

“The pressure is on,” said Scott Moore, head coach for the team of 12 visually impaired athletes. “This is the final of three qualifying events for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.  We have a young team overall but a few of our veterans are in good position to qualify their weight – Myles Porter, Jordan Mouton and Katie Davis.”

The Parapan Games is a multi-sport event, like the Olympics, for athletes with disabilities in the Americas, Canada through South America. Judo competition, which begins Friday, is primarily for athletes with visual impairments. Judo, because it relies so much on gripping, balance and sense of touch, is extremely well suited to these athletes.

Moore is head sensei of Denver Judo in Colorado. He was head coach for the 2010 and 2011 IBSA (International Blind Sports Association) World Championships and was assistant coach for the U.S. Paralympic Judo Team in 2008. Prior to that, Moore won two bronze and a gold medal at that pinnacle sports event. In 2000 he became the American to win a gold medal in judo at the Paralympic Games.

“Myles Porter, with two consecutive bronze medals at the first two qualifying events, the 2010 and 2011 World Championships, is in a very good position to qualify the -100 kg slot for the US in 2012,” Moore said. “Jordan Mouton is also in qualifying contention with a bronze medal at the 2011 World Games.  After her fifth-place finish at the 2011 World Games, Katie Davis is also in contention for a 2012 slot for the +70kg division.  We also have several young athletes who are in contention due to wins in the 2010, and 2011 World Championships.”

 

Team Roster