Member News

September 15, 2007

Team USA Ends Worlds with Open and Lightweight Divisions  

(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) – Team USA has four more chances to reach the medal stand again when the lightweight and open weight athletes compete at the World Championships on Sunday. 

Jeanette Rodriguez, 48kg

Jeanette Rodriguez (Coral Springs, Fla. / USA Judo National Training Site at North Miami / 48kg) will be competing in her first Senior World Championships, but gained valuable international experience when she won a bronze medal at the Pan American Games in July. 

Rodriguez drew Claudia Gonzales (NCA) in the first round with the winner fighting Petra Steinbauer (AUT) in the second.  Also in Rodriguez’s pool is Ryoko Tani (JPN) who won every World title (for a total of six) between 1993 and 2003, and two Olympic Games as well as Frederique Jossinet (FRA), the 2003 and 2005 World silver medalist.  Tani took a break during the 2005 Worlds to have a baby, but is back   Reigning World Junior and Senior Champion Yanet Bermoy (CUB) is on the opposite side of the draw. 

Taraje Williams-Murray, 60kg

Taraje Williams-Murray (Bronx, N.Y. / NYAC / Spartak Sports Club) went 2-2 to place ninth at the last World Championships in the 60kg division.  Since then, he has moved up to 66 and back down again, winning his fourth National title in April.    Other players to watch for in the division include former World Champion Min-Ho CHoi (KOR), three-time Asian Champion Masoud Haji Akhound Zade (IRI), 2005 World silver medalist Ludwig Paischer (AUT) and 2005 World bronze medalist Nijat Shikhalizade (AZE).  

Williams-Murray drew Joao Cardoso (POR) in the first round which could be followed by a second against Elio Verde (ITA).  Also in Williams-Murray’s pool is Salamat Utarbajew (KAZ), 2006 Asian Games medalist. 

Djamaldin  Aliev, Open

Heidi Moore, Open

Also competing on Sunday are Heidi Moore ( Engelwood , Colo. / Denver Judo)

and Djamaldin Aliev ( Greenwood Village , Colo. / Denver Judo) who are both fighting in the Open division which is expected to include athletes from a mix of the heavier weight divisions.

Aliev and Moore, reigning Open weight National Champions, both competed at the 2005 World Championships, Aliev in the 100kg division and Moore in the +78kg.