| Member News
February 18, 2007
Rousey Wins Vienna World Cup at 70kg
(Wakefield, Mass.) – Less than a year ago, Ronda Rousey (Wakefield, Mass. / NYAC / USA Judo National Training Site at Pedro’s Judo Center) became the first U.S. woman to win an A-Level judo event in nearly 10 years when she took the title at the Birmingham World Cup in the 63kg division.
After winning the British Open three weeks ago, Rousey opted to fight up to 70kg at this week’s Vienna World Cup in Austria, surprising her competitors by not only her entrance in the division, but also by going 4-0 to win the titl on Sunday.
Rousey had a first-round bye before beating 2005 European Junior Champion Kerstin Thiele (GER) by ippon (instant win) in the second round. In her next match, Rousey also won by ippon against Jennifer Pitzanti (ITA), a fifth-place finisher at the 2006 European Juniors.
In the semifinals, Rousey fought 2006 Pan American Champion Yalennis Castillo (CUB), the 10th-ranked athlete in the world in the division who is expected to move up to the top five after winning a silver medal at last week’s Paris Super World Cup.
Although Rousey has been known to have difficulties with Cuban competitors in the past, she defeated Castillo by ippon in Vienna, pinning her during the first exchange.
After a break, Rousey met Yuniko Kunihara (JPN) in the final, defeating Kunihara by a koka (smallest points), yuko (quarter-point) and waza-ari (half-point) to win the title.
Not only did Rousey win the event, but she did so only dropping two penalties during the four matches.
Valerie Gotay (Harlingen, Texas / Harlingen USA Judo National Site / 57kg) finished seventh in her division when she competed on Saturday. Gotay lost in the first round on a penalty to Gemma Howell (GBR) who finished third overall.
In the repechage, Gotay beat Anne Kaetzler (GER) and Ketylyn Quadros (BRA) before losing to Arina Alexandrova (RUS), last year’s European U-23 Champion.
Complete results are as follows:
Women’s 48kg
1. Emi Yamagishi (JPN)
2. Yanet Bermoy (CUB)
3. Valentina Moscatt (ITA)
3. Daniela Polzin (BRA)
5. Oiana Blacno (ESP)
5. Leen Dom (BEL)
Women’s 52kg
1. Miranda Erika Souza (BRA)
2. Carolina Lantoine (FRA)
3. Bundmaa Munkhbatar (MGL)
3. Aminata Sall (CAN)
5. Miren Leon Ruiz (ESP)
5. Romy Taranqul (GER)
Women’s 57kg
1. Erdenet Khishigbat (MGL)
2. Nae Udaka (JPN)
3. Gemma Howell (GBR)
3. Sabrina Flizmoser (AUT)
5. Arina Alexandrova (RUS)
5. Viola Waechter (GER)
7. Valerie Gotay (Harlingen, Texas / Harlingen USA Judo Naional Training Site), 2-2
Women’s 63kg
1. Yaritza Abel (CUB)
2. Claudia Heill (AUT)
3. Aranka Schauer (AUT)
3. Nozomi Hirai (JPN)
5. Hilde Drexler (AUT)
5. Marie-Helene Chisholm (CAN)
Women’s 70kg
1. Ronda Rousey (Wakefield, Mass. / NYAC / USA Judo National Training Site at Pedro’s Judo Center), 4-0
2. Yoriko Kunihara (JPN)
3. Yalennis Castillo (CUB)
3. Kerstin Thiele (GER)
5. Katarzyna Wrobel (POL)
5. Magali Leguay (FRA)
Women’s 78kg
1. Yurisel Laborde (CUB)
2. Amy Cotton (CAN)
3. Kumiko Horie (JPN)
3. Regina Jerneic (SLO)
5. Julia Baler (GER)
5. Joseffine Vostry (GER)
Women’s +78kg
1. Ivis Dueno Alonso (CUB)
2. Anaid Mkhitarvan (RUS)
3. Ketty Mathe (FRA)
3. Mai Tateyama (JPN)
5. Alicia Alonso (ESP)
5. Tserenkhand Dorjgotov (MGL) |
