2006 U.S. Open Judo Championships

October 20-22, 2006

Miami, Fla.

USA Judo Senior Elite B Level Point Tournament: October 20-21

Masters Competition: October 21-22

Competition Site

Florida International University

Pharmed Arena

1180 SW 113th Ave.

Miami, FL 33199

University Park Campus

Completed Senior Draw Sheets

U.S. Open Medal Matches Now Available on the Web

Couldn’t make it to Miami for last weekend’s U.S. Open?  Or maybe you just want to relive some of the action?

Visit www.livesportsvideo.com to check out Friday and Saturday’s medal match broadcast, commentated by two-time Olympians Leo White and Pat Burris.

What will you be able to see? 

• Bobby Lee (73kg) winning his first U.S. Open title over two-time Champion Chuck Jefferson in buzzer beater fashion.
• Jeanette Rodriguez (48kg) upsetting six-time National Champion... more>

Thank you to Coaches Liasons

On behalf of Pat Burris, Director of Coach Education, and Sergeant Major E. L. B. Mayfield, Head of Coaches Liaison, we want to extend a warm thank you and congratulations to Lanny Clark, Derrick Kerr, George Krivosta, Brett Wood-Taylor, Dr. Greg Chow, GySgt Chester Evans, and Bill Andreas for a Coaches Liaison job well done at the U.S. Open Senior and Masters Championships, October 20-22, 2006 in Miami, Florida... more>

Master’s U.S. Open Day 2 Results  

(Miami, Fla.) – Nearly 100 athletes competed in the second day of the Master’s U.S. Open on Sunday at Florida International University. This year was the first time the master’s division was contested at the U.S. Open.  “I think it’s great that the master’s division has been added this year.  The masters are highly competitive and... more>

Day 1 U.S. Open Master's Results

The first day of competition kicked off Saturday at the first ever U.S. Open Master’s Championships at Florida International University in Miami, Fla.

Competition was held for athletes ages 55 and older.  Athletes in the divisions for 30-54-year-olds will compete on Sunday... more>

Day 2 Final Results

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... more>

Day 2 Finals Fight List

Day 2 Draws

Follow Day 2's results as they happen...

Day 1 Senior Photo Gallery

Day 1 Senior Results

(Miami, Fla.) – Travis Stevens (San Jose, Calif. / San Jose State University) produced one of the biggest upsets during the first day of the U.S. Open Judo Championships to win gold in the 81kg division on Friday.

Twenty-year-old Stevens won a bronze medal at the Rendez-Vous Canada at the B-Level Rendez-Vous Canada three weeks ago in Montreal, but was the underdog coming into the final against two-time World Team member Aaron Cohen (Buffalo Grove, Ill. / NYAC / Cohen’s Judo). 

Cohen opened up the match with the first score, just over two minutes into the match, throwing Stevens for a yuko (quarter-point) with a tai otoshi (body drop).  Cohen earned a shido (penalty) 30 seconds later that shrank his lead.  In the last two minutes, Stevens threw Cohen with a fireman’s carry for a waza-ari and then threw Cohen a second time to with the match by ippon (instant win, similar to a knockout in boxing) with 43 seconds on the clock. 

Stevens picked up wins against athletes from four countries en route to his title.

Athens Olympian Ronda Rousey (Santa Monica, Calif. / NYAC) never got her much anticipated 63kg match with fifth-place World and Olympic finisher Marie-Helene Chisholm (CAN) but solidly defeated the rest of her opponents to win gold.   

Chisholm, meanwhile, was left with a 0-1 record after losing in the first round to Nicole Archuleta (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Olympic Training Center USA Judo National Training Site). 

USA Judo Partners with Martial Arts Industry Association to Host National Assembly Workshops

Don't miss the first MAIA and USA Judo Success Kit Workshops at the USA Judo National Assembly. Learn how to increase retail sales, grow your club size, retain existing students and more...

U.S. Open Judo Championships Come to Miami

The U.S. Open Judo Championships will be held at Florida International University this weekend with competition in the senior divisions being held Friday and Saturday.

The event will be held at the FIU University Park Campus at the Pharmed Arena, 1180 SW 113th Ave., Miami, Fla.

Friday’s competition will include the following divisions:

• Women’s 44kg, 63kg, 70kg, 78kg and +78kg
• Men’s 55kg, 81kg, 90kg, 100kg and +100kg

Saturday’s competition will include the following divisions:

• Women’s Open, 48kg, 52kg, and 57kg
• Men’s Open, 60kg, 66kg and 73kg

Among this weekend’s competitors, several U.S. athletes are looking to defend their 2005 titles in fields that include judo players from 22 nations... more>

Capital Realty Group Offers Athlete Incentives for U.S. Open Gold

USA Judo is pleased to announce that Brett Barron, 1984 Olympian and four-time U.S. Open Champion, and Capital Realty Group in Burlingame, Calif. are offering a $250 incentive for any U.S. athlete who wins a gold medal in an Olympic weight division at this weekend’s U.S. Open, Oct. 20-21 in Miami, Fla.

An additional $250 (for a total of $500) will be offered to any athlete who is a first-time winner of the Open... more>  

USA Judo National Assembly – An Event to Attend!

From the USA Judo CEO, Jose H. Rodriguez

In just under two weeks, the first USA Judo National Assembly will be held on Oct. 19 in conjunction with the U.S. Open in Miami, Florida. Six months have passed since the last meeting of USA Judo was held in Houston and radical changes of bylaws and organizational structure were made.  Many members are attending this National Assembly with a sense of not knowing what to expect... more>

USA Judo National Assembly Schedule

USA Judo is pleased to announce the meeting schedule for the USA Judo National Assembly to be held Oct. 19 at the Dadeland Marriott in Miami, Florida.

The USA Judo National Assembly will be held one day prior to the start of the U.S. Open which will be held at Florida International University. The Dadeland Marriott has free transportation to and from Miami Airport which is located about 20 minutes from the hotel.

Overflow Hotel

The tournament host hotel is officially full. The overflow hotel has been designated as the Comfort Suites which includes continental breakfast for $129.95 per night for up to 4 people per room. The hotel is the closest hotel to Florida International University. 

Reservations can be made by calling 305.220.3901 and asking for the  JUDO OPEN USA Rate (Code 4001).  The rate is good from Oct. 13-22. 

The hotel address is: 3901 SW 117 Avenue Miami, FL  33175.

Referees Needed for U.S. Open Masters Competition

The Masters competition at the U.S. Open, Oct. 21-22 in Miami, Fla. will be open to all levels of current USA Judo National referees.  National referees also welcome to work for credit as technical officials at the Senior U.S. Open on Friday and Saturday. 

PJU Card Requirements for U.S. Open

Anyone that competes in the Senior U.S. Open, Oct. 20-21 in Miami, Fla. will be required to have a Pan American Judo Union card as this is a PJU event.  The PJU is just like the European Judo Union card required in Europe.  Coaches and referees also are required to obtain a PJU card. 

Athletes or referees participating in the Masters U.S. Open will not be required to hold a PJU card. 

NEW Eligibility Criteria for United States Citizens:
A U.S. Citizen may participate if he or she is a current member in good standing of United States Judo, Inc. and meets one or more of the following criteria: (Such individuals must also submit all required documents and pay the appropriate entry fee.)

1. Senior Elite Classification Level A through E.
2. Junior Elite Classification on the IJF Junior National Roster.
3. Former U.S. Team Member in the Pan American Games, World Championships, or Olympic Games.
4. Former Elite Athlete – Senior or IJF Junior only.
5. NEW THIS YEAR: All black belts that possess a black belt certificate certifying rank
6. NEW THIS YEAR: Brown belts that do not fall into one of the above listed categories may request a waiver
by contacting Tournament Director, Sherrie Phillips via email at: Sportsconsult@aol.com

U.S. Open Training Camp: October 22-24, 2006, Marriot Dadeland Hotel

U.S. Masters Open Entry Packet

U.S. Open Entry Packet for Domestic Participants

International Participants: Please contact your national federation for information on participation in this tournament. 

HOTEL HEADQUARTERS

The Marriot Dadeland

9090 S. Dadeland Boulevard

Miami, FL 33156

Complimentary Hotel Shuttle to Shopping

Close to metro rail station to Miami and area attractions

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!

Flat Rate $119 & Tax per night (1-4 persons per room)

The equivalent of one night’s room and tax charge may be required at the time the reservation is made, either by check or credit card.

Former Senor Elite athletes who wish to compete should contact

Tournament Director: Sherrie Phillips

Entry Materials will be sent to International Delegations

For additional information contact:

Sherrie Phillips: Tournament Director

Voice: 719.491.9682; FAX: 719.487.0989