Member News

May 26, 2007

USA Places Fifth in Men’s Team Event at the Pan Ams

The U.S. men’s team placed fifth in the team event on Saturday at the Pan Am Championships.

The team included Nick Kossor (Glenville, N.Y. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center / 66kg), Travis Stevens (Glenville, N.Y. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center / 81kg), Rick Hawn (Wakefield, Mass. / USA Judo National Team FORCE / 90kg) and Kirk Hoffman (Colorado Springs, Colo. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center / +100kg).  Although it was a five-person event, the United States did not have a 100kg competitor.

The men’s won their first match against Mexico with Stevens, Hawn and Hoffmann all picking up wins. 

Kossor had the first match of the series, but was thrown first for a yuko (quarter-point) and then for ippon.

Stevens was down by a shido (penalty) and then threw his Mexican opponent. 

Hawn was tied with a shido a piece with Mexico when he threw him for a yuko.  Mexico earned another shido before Hawn threw him for ippon (instant win) with 49 seconds left.

Hoffmann’s match rapidly becomes a penalty contest.  Mexico got the first two shidos, but Hoffmann and the Mexican each got a shido in the last minute.  With 18 seconds left, Hoffmann and Mexico each got another shido, ending the match with the maximum four shidos for Mexico. 

Counting the walkover for the lack of U.S. 100kg player, Team USA won 3-2.

In the next round, Team USA fought Cuba in the semifinals.  Kossor withdrew from the competition, but Stevens provided hope for the crew, holding his match scoreless until the last 21 seconds when he was given a penalty.  Cuba also received a penalty with 21 seconds left, leaving the match at a tie.

Hawn escaped a pin early in his match, but couldn’t score on Cuba and lost by a shido and a yuko. 

The heavyweight division wasn’t contested as the match was already lost.

The men fought Venezuela in the bronze medal match.  Down three competitors to five, Stevens tied his first match, but Hawn lost the next match.  The heavyweight division wasn’t contested as the match was already lost and the men finished fifth overall.

The U.S. women’s team included Franchesca Durand (Coral Springs, Fla. / USA Judo National Training Site at North Miami / 52kg), Kristen Allan (Springfield, Va. / Sport Judo / 63kg), Marina Lambert (Chesapeake, Va. / Washington Judo / 78kg) and Asma Sharif (Wakefield, Mass. / USA Judo National Team FORCE / +78kg)

Durand and Allan lost their first two matches on penalties.  As Team USA did not have a competitor in the 78kg division, Mexico was given the win by a walkover.  As the match was already lost 1-3, the heavyweight division isn't contested.

In the repechage, Durand lost the first match by a shido and Allan was thrown early in her match on the corner of the mat.

Team USA gave up the 70kg division again and Venezuela did the same a 78kg.  As the match was already lost 1-3, the heavyweight division wasn’t contested.

Medalists are as follows:

Women's Team

1. Cuba

2. Brazil

3. Canada

3. Colombia

Men's Team

1. Brazil

2. Cuba

3. Venezuela

3. Canada