Member News

October 13, 2006

Rousey Wins Bronze at Junior Worlds

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – Ronda Rousey (Santa Monica, Calif. / NYAC / 63kg) made USA Judo history in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Friday, becoming the first American ever to win two medals in Junior World Championship competition on the heels of a gold medal at the 2004 Junior Worlds.

The Athens Olympian quickly and easily defeated her first three opponents in a combined time of less than two and a half minutes – all by her trademark armbar with each match going quicker than the last. 

In the first round, she scored an early yuko (quarter-point) before pulling Lauren Baverstock (GBR) into an armbar in one minute, five seconds.  In the second round, she dominated early as well, armbarring Iroda Abdurahmanova (UZE) in 50 seconds.

In the quarter-finals, Rousey threw 2006 European Junior bronze medalist Ninette Kakonyi (HUN) for a yuko before putting her into an armbar for the win in 29 seconds.

After a break, Rousey advanced to her semifinal match against Aldama Onix Cortes (CUB). 

One of the few athletes at Junior Worlds who hadn’t been seen much on either the junior or senior circuits, Cortes quickly showed that she will be an athlete to watch in upcoming years as she threw Rousey for a koka (smallest score). 

Rousey continued to attack and blocked a double-leg attempt by the Cuban, pulling her onto the mat to bring her into groundwork.  Rousey landed on the mat forcefully, though, and an ippon was called for the Cuban who would go on to win gold.

“For the first three fights, Ronda was really in control and looked like she was unstoppable,” said Head Coach Jhonny Prado (Coral Springs, Fla.)  “When we saw the Cuban girl fighting, we knew it was going to be a good fight because Cubans are always tough, but we didn’t know it would go like that.”

A shocked Rousey returned to the mat shortly thereafter for her bronze medal match against Alice Schlesinger (ISR), a 2004 Junior World bronze medalist at 57kg.

“I got off the mat after the semi and actually really wanted to fight someone right away,” Rousey said.  “Sometimes you lose and you just want to pack up and go home, but I felt like fighting again.  I’d definitely rather get back in there real quick while I’m still mad and motivated to win again.”

Schlesinger upset Rousey’s quest for a 2005 Senior World Medal just over a year ago in Cairo, but Rousey beat her decisively in their last match-up in the finals of the Belgium Ladies Open in February. 

This time Rousey returned to true form, controlling the short match before pinning Schlesinger in just under two minutes.

“It wasn’t the prettiest judo all day, but I won at the end,” Rousey said. “I pulled it together and got the win, so that’s what really matters.”

Next week, Rousey will return to the United States where the 19-year-old will defend her title at the Senior U.S. Open in Miami, Fla., Oct. 20-21.

In other matches, Jake Larsen (Santa Rosa, Calif. / Redwood Judo) fared well in his first international outing, picking up a first-round win against Carlos Ruiz (MEX) by a yuko (quarter-point).  In the second round, Larsen lost to eventual bronze medalist Tentore Masmanidis (GRE) after a series of scores and ultimately a pin.

In the repechage, Larsen lost by ippon (instant win, similar to a knockout in boxing) to the other eventual bronze medalist, Ali Mohammadnia (IRI), to finish ninth overall.

Hannah Martin (Burnt Hills, Calif. / Jason Morris Judo Center / 57kg) also competed well in her first junior worlds, countering a throw by Zayra Laguna (NCA) to win her first match by ippon in 29 seconds.

In the next round, her third after a first-round bye, Tajda Ketis (SLO) threw Martin with leg picks for yuko (quarter-point) and koka (smallest points) before pinning her for ippon in the third minute. 

In the repechage, Martin fought well, managing to escape two fully extended armbar attempts by eventual bronze medalist Kaori Matsumoto (JPN), but lost the match by a yuko (quarter-point). 

Zane Malloy (Oak Harbor, Wash. / NAS Whidbey Judo / 100kg) had one of the day’s more difficult draws for Team USA, losing by ippon (instant win) first in the prelims to eventual silver medalist Alius Braciulis (LTU) and later getting thrown with a seoi nage (shoulder throw) for ippon by Dmitriy Renev (RUS) en route to his bronze medal.  Malloy finished ninth overall in the 23-man pool.

UP NEXT: Tomorrow’s competitors include Nick Delpopolo (Glenville, N.Y. / NYAC / Jason Morris Judo Center / 73kg), Yuko Sin (Glenville, N.Y. / Jason Morris Judo Center / 81kg), Kayla Harrison (Middletown, Ohio / Renshuden / 70kg) and Marina Shafir (Latham, N.Y. / Jason Morris Judo Center). 

Complete results are as follows:

Women’s 57kg

1. Irina Zabludina (RUS)

2. Viola Waechter (GER)

3. Dora Hegedus (HUN)

3. Olena Sayko (UKR)

5. Kaori Matsumoto (JPN)

5. Tajda Ketis (SLO)

7. Hyo Ju Park (KOR)

7. Ketleyn Quadros (BRA)

Also Competed: Hannah Martin (Burnt Hills, N.Y. / Jason Morris Judo Center), 1-2

Women’s 63kg

1. Aldama Onix (CUB)

2. Rina Kozawa (JPN)

3. Amanda Oliveira (BRA)

3. Ronda Rousey (Santa Monica, Calif. / NYAC), 4-1

5. Ninett Kakonyi (HUN)

5. Alice Schlesinger (ISR)

7. Claudia Ahrens (GER)

7. Valeriane Etienne (FRA)

Men’s 90kg

1. Marvin De La Croes (NED)

2. Herve Fichot (FRA)

3. Ali Mohammadnia (IRI)

3. Tentore Masmanidis (GRE)

5. Tamas Madarasz (HUN)

5. Maximili Schirnhofer (AUT)

7. Robert Zimmermann (GER)

7. Karolis Bauza (LTU)

9. Jake Larsen (Santa Rosa, Calif. / Redwood Judo), 1-2

Men’s 100kg

1. Cyrille Maret (FRA)

2. Allue Braciulis (LTU)

3. Dmitriy Renev (RUS)

3. Norihide Yamamoto (JPN)

5. Thijs Dekker (NED)

5. Denis Herbst (GER)

7. Danil Babaev (KGZ)

7. Yu Hao Lin (TPE)

9. Zane Malloy (Oak Harbor, Wash. / NAS Whidbey Island Judo), 0-2