Member News
October 21, 2006
Day 2 U.S. Open Championships Results
Lee, Rodriguez, Harrison and Gotay Win During the Second Day of the U.S. Open
(Miami, Fla.) – Americans took four titles and 19 overall medals during the final day of senior competition at the U.S. Open Judo Championships Saturday at Florida International University in Miami, Fla.
Teenagers Jeanette Rodriguez (Coral Springs, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site / 48kg) and Bobby Lee (Lauderhill, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site / 73kg) both won their divisions with upset victories over seasoned veterans.
Rodriguez defeated six-time National Champion Sayaka Matsumoto (El Cerrito, Calif. / NYAC / East Bay Judo Institute) in a rematch from their Senior Nationals final in April where then-15-year-old Rodriguez produced her first win over Matsumoto.
Rodriguez was the aggressor early on in the match, taking Matsumoto to the ground twice. Although Matsumoto is known for having excellent groundwork skills, she was unable to turn the grappling in her favor.
Although Rodriguez was unable to score during her first two attempts, she ultimately threw Matsumoto with a makikomi (outer wrap around throw) for ippon (instant win, similar to a knockout in boxing) in just over two minutes.
The win marks the latest step in Rodriguez’s quest to become dominant in the division after taking over the #1 Senior Elite ranking in the United States three weeks ago and taking fifth at the Junior Worlds in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Lee went undefeated in four preliminary matches before facing two-time U.S. Open Champion Chuck Jefferson (San Jose, Calif. / San Jose State University) in the finals.
Lee and Jefferson took very different paths to the finals with Jefferson producing the two biggest wins of the day. In the first round, Jefferson threw 2006 U.S. Open Champion Nick Tritton (CAN) with his trademark left uchimata (inner thigh throw) and later defeated 2006 Senior National Champion Ryan Reser (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Olympic Training Center USA Judo National Training Site) in the semifinals. Reser went in for a sacrifice technique, but fell backwards and the yuko (quarter-point) that would decide the match was given to Jefferson.
Lee won his first three matches before fighting 17-year-old Nick Delpopolo (Glenville, N.Y. / NYAC / Jason Morris Judo Center). Lee and Delpopolo have developed a notable rivalry in the junior divisions, most notably including Delpopolo defeating Lee twice at the Junior World Trials. Lee won their next three match-ups though and took a fourth Saturday, winning the match by two yukos. Delpopolo went for a buzzer beater throw that had the potential to win the match, but was called only for a koka (smallest points) and sent Delpopolo into the bronze medal match against Tritton.
In the finals, Jefferson found himself down by a koka for a shido (penalty) for non-combattivity. During the last minute, Lee kept attacking at a rapid pace, throwing Jefferson for ippon with seven seconds left in the match.
“Honestly I didn’t know there was only seven seconds left. I thought I had more time than that,” Lee said on the possible risk of such a late attack.
The win is the first senior international medal for the 18-year-old who looked to be ready to explode with excitement on the podium.
“This is better than I even imagined,” Lee said after receiving his gold medal.
Up next, Lee will test his abilities in Europe, competing in the Sweden and Finland Opens in November.
Thirty-two-year-old Valerie Gotay (Harlingen, Texas / Harlingen USA Judo National Training Site / 57kg) was Rodriguez’s age when she won her first U.S. Open title at 48kg in 1989. Fifteen years later, Gotay won her fourth title, defeating Marti Malloy (San Jose, Calif. / San Jose State University) in a rematch of last year’s final.
Gotay gave the first score of the match to Malloy with a penalty for noncombativity and racked up another less than 30 seconds later.
The match appeared to be Gotay’s when she took Malloy to the ground for a pin that Malloy escaped from, only to be pinned again. And again Malloy escaped, but this time Gotay worked her into a fully extended armbar which Malloy also evaded.
“I did get a spark of concern after the matwork exchange because I was just spent,” Gotay said. “I really had to take a moment after that. If you noticed I slowed down for a little bit and I could hear everyone on my side yelling for me to “Go! Go!” and get attacks off right away, but I just needed a little break.
Finally, Gotay threw Malloy for an uchimata (inner thigh throw) for ippon with 14 seconds remaining.
“I wasn’t really worried about being down at first. I just thought if I kept coming along I’d eventually catch her with something,” Gotay said. “It was a rough day though. I was sick this morning and throwing up the night before. I won my earlier matches, but I really just wanted to conserve energy. I was grateful we had a big break before the finals so I took a nap and felt a lot better tonight.”
Sixteen-year-old Kayla Harrison (Middletown, Ohio / Renshuden Judo Academy) won her second medal of the tournament, following a silver medal Friday at 70kg, with a win in the Open Division on Saturday.
Harrison pinned Roxana Garcia (PUR) in the first minute with reverse sankaku which she moved into a choke to win the match and the gold medal.
Also in the Open division, 2006 Senior Nationals 78kg bronze medalist Heidi Moore (Englewood, Colo. / Denver Judo) choked out Senior Nationals heavyweight Champion Melinda Swanson (Honolulu, Hawaii / Hawaii Tenri) for a bronze medal.
Emily Lilly (Camarillo, Calif. / Sawtelle Judo), a Junior National Champion at 70kg, threw Amy Stevens (Stebastopol, Calif. / Santa Rosa Junior College Judo Club) for ippon on the first attack of the match to win the other bronze medal.
The men’s 66kg division was likely the most watched of the tournament with Americans taking four positions in the medal rounds.
Justin Flores (Palo Alto, Calif. / San Shi) defeated 2005 Pan American medalist Felipe Novoa (CHI / Colorado Springs, Colo. / Olympic Training Center USA Judo National Training Site) in the quarter-finals and won a controversial match against Josh O’Neil (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Olympic Training Center USA Judo National Training Site) in the quarter-finals O’Neil was then beaten in the repechage by second-ranked Kenny Hashimoto (Thornton, Colo. / Northglenn Judo Club) who would go on to fight 2006 Senior National Champion Taylor Takata (Harlingen, Texas / Harlingen USA Judo National Training Site) in the bronze medal match.
On the other side of the repechage, Taraje Williams-Murray (Bronx, N.Y. / NYAC / Spartak Sports Club) came from being behind by three penalties to throw Nate Torra (El Cerrito, Calif. / East Bay Judo Institute for ippon during the last minute.
Flores dominated the start of his finals match against Jean-Rene Badrick (GBR), throwing Badrick in the semifinals. The throw was ruled out of bounds, but the Referee Education Commission called the throw for a yuko instead. Less than a minute later, Badrick threw Flores for an ippon and the gold medal.
In the bronze medal match, Williams-Murray won his first 66kg international medal after Daniel Santos (BRA) withdrew from the match with an injury.
In the other bronze medal match, Hashimoto was down by a penalty during the match, but then threw Takata for a yuko. Takata earned two more penalties to finish fifth behind Hashimoto.
In the final, Flores looked to be the stronger player, throwing Jean-Rene Badrick (GBR) hard on the side of the mat. The throw was called out of bounds, but the Referee Commission changed the call to a yuko (quarter-point) score. Less than a minute later, Badrick caught threw the American for ippon and the win.
In the men’s Open division, Adler Volmar (Miami, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site), the top-ranked U.S. athlete at 100kg, advanced to the final, but racked up the maximum four penalties during less than three minutes and was eliminated from the match.
Americans took the bronze medals in the Open division as well. Continuing the good day in the Open division for the Buckeye State, Aaron Handy (Fairfield, Ohio / Renshuden) threw Patrick Bokor (Winter Park, Fla. / Central Florida Judo) for ippon early in the match. Adam Blackburn (Salt Lake City, Utah / USA Stars) also ended his match with a throw for ippon, catching Robert Turnquest (Honolulu, Hawaii / Kamehameha Judo Club) with a switch to win the bronze medal.
Complete results are as follows:
Women’s 48kg
1. Jeanette Rodriguez (Coral Springs, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)
2. Sayaka Matsumoto (El Cerrito, Calif. / NYAC / East Bay Judo Institute)
3. Ann Shiraishi (Elk Grove, Calif. / East Bay Judo Institute)
3. Kimi Suda (CAN)
5. Bianca Ockedahl (CAN)
5. Lolita Dagher (CAN)
Women’s 52kg
1. Andreea Catuna (ROM)
2. Monica Ungureanu (ROM)
3. Franchesca Durand (Coral Springs, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)
3. Lisseth Johana Orozco (COL)
5. Neyla Susana Melo (COL)
5. Grace Ohashi (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Olympic Training Center USA Judo National Training Site)
Women’s 57kg
1. Valerie Gotay (Harlingen, Texas / Harlingen USA Judo National Training Site)
2. Marti Malloy (San Jose, Calif. / San Jose State University)
3. Jolianne Melancon (CAN)
3. Francoise Nguele (CAN)
5. Maryse Guilbault (CAN)
5. Yadris Amaris (COL)
Women’s Open
1. Kayla Harrison (Middletown, Ohio / Renshuden)
2. Roxana Garcia (PUR)
3. Emily Lilly (Camarillo, Calif. / Sawtelle Judo)
3. Heidi Moore (Englewood, Colo. / Denver Judo)
5. Amy Stevens (Stebastopol, Calif. / Santa Rosa Junior College Judo Club)
5. Melinda Swanson (Honolulu, Hawaii / Hawaii Tenri)
Men’s 60kg
1. Frazer Will (CAN)
2. Ronnie Talledo (PER / North Lauderdale, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai Judo Club)
3. Sergio Pessoa (CAN)
3. Jean-Pierre Durand (Coral Springs, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)
5. Nick Kossor (Glenville, N.Y. / Jason Morris Judo Center)
5. Miguel Ballesteros (Miami, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)
Men’s 66kg
1. Jean-Rene Badrick (GBR)
2. Justin Flores (Palo Alto, Calif. / San Shi)
3. Kenny Hashimoto (Thornton, Colo. / Northglenn Judo)
3. Taraje Williams-Murray (Brooklyn, N.Y. / NYAC / Starrett Judo)
5. Taylor Takata (Harlingen, Texas / Harlingen USA Judo National Training Site)
5. Daniel Santos (BRA)
Men’s 73kg
1. Bobby Lee (Lauderhill, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)
2. Chuck Jefferson (San Jose, Calif. / San Jose State University)
3. Ryan Reser (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Olympic Training Center USA Judo National Training Site)
3. Nicholas Tritton (CAN)
5. Leonardo Alan (BRA / Coral Springs, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai Judo Club)
5. Nick Delpopolo (Glenville, N.Y. / NYAC / Jason Morris Judo Center)
Men’s Open
1. Michael Horley (GBR)
2. Adler Volmar (Miami, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)
3. Adam Blackburn (Salt Lake City, Utah / USA Stars)
3. Aaron Handy (Fairfield, Ohio / Renshuden)
5. Robert Turnquest (Honolulu, Hawaii / Kamehameha Judo Club)
5. Patrick Bokor (Winter Park, Fla. / Central Florida Judo) |
