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Beijing Olympic Games
August 9-15, 2008 |
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Meet the Athletes...
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Sayaka Matsumoto (48kg)
Date of Birth: 12/5/1982
Current Residence: El Cerrito, Calif.
Hometown: Richmond, Calif.
Club: NYAC / East Bay Judo Institute
Career Highlights: Four-time Pan Am Championships medalist
More On Matsumoto |
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Valerie Gotay (57kg)
Date of Birth: 11/5/1973
Hometown: San Diego, Calif.
Current Residence: Harlingen, Texas
Club: USA Judo National Training Site at Harlingen
Career Highlights: 1992 Olympian, 2007 Rotterdam Super World Cup bronze medalist, three-time Pan American Champion
More On Gotay |
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Ronda Rousey (70kg)
Date of Birth: 2/1/1987
Hometown: Santa Monica, Calif.
Current Residence: Wakefield, Mass.
Club: NYAC / USA Judo National Team FORCE
Career Highlights: 2004 Olympian, 2007 World silver medalist, three-time World Cup Champion
More On Rousey |
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Taraje Williams-Murray (60kg)
Date of Birth: 11/9/1984
Hometown: Bronx, N.Y.
Current Residence: Wakefield, Mass.
Club: NYAC / USA Judo National Team FORCE / Spartak Sports Club
Career Highlights: 2004 Olympian, 2008 Pan Am bronze medalist
More on Williams-Murray |
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Taylor Takata (66kg)
Date of Birth: 4/6/1982
Hometown: Wahiawa, Hawaii
Current Residence: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Club: USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center
Career Highlights: Two-time Pan American Champion
More on Takata |
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Ryan Reser (73kg)
Date of Birth: 4/16/1980
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Current Residence: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Club: USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center
Career Highlights: Three-time Pan American Champion and three-time World Cup medalist
More On Reser |
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Travis Stevens (81kg)
Date of Birth: 2/28/1986
Hometown: Tacoma, Wash.
Current Residence: Glenville, N.Y.
Club: USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center
Career Highlights: 2007 Pan American Games Champion
More On Stevens |
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Brian Olson (90kg)
Date of Birth: 3/6/1973
Hometown: Talahassee, Fla.
Current Residence: Boulder, Colo.
Club: NYAC / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center
Career Highlights : Four-time Olympian and 1997 World medalist. Seventh at 2000 Games.
More on Olson |
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Adler Volmar (100kg)
Date of Birth: 3/5/1977
Current Residence: Coral Springs, Fla.
Club: USA Judo National Training Site at North Miami
Career Highlights: 1996 Olympian for Haiti and 2007 Pan Am medalist
More on Volmar |
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Daniel McCormick (+100kg)
Date of Birth: 5/30/1986
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Current Residence: Wakefield, Mass.
Club: USA Judo National Team FORCE
Career Highlights: 2008 Pan Am medalist
More On McCormick |
Miss Olympic Judo Already?
Matches, highlights, medals ceremonies and more are all available at www.nbcolympics.com/video. Among the videos are footage of Ronda Rousey's historic bronze medal win, including:
Photo Credit: Lou DiGesare / Real Judo Magazine |
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Daniel McCormick Places Ninth at Olympic Games
In his first trip to the Olympic Games, Daniel McCormick (Wakefield, Mass. / Arlington, Texas) had one of the top finishes for the U.S. men when he ended the judo competition with a ninth place finish in the +100kg division on Friday.
After a first-round bye, McCormick defeated Deguy Bathily Diegy (SEN) by two penalties to one.
In the next round, the 22-year-old fought two-time World medalist Lasha Gujejiani (GEO)... more>
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Daniel McCormick to Fight on Last Day of Competition
(Beijing, China) – Daniel McCormick (Wakefield, Mass. / Arlington, Texas) will compete in his first Olympic Games on Friday – the last day of the judo event.
One of the youngest players on Team USA, 22-year-old McCormick has a first-round bye and a second-round match against Djeguy Bathily (SEN)... more> |
 Adler Volmar Loses in First Round
(Beijing, China) – Twelve years after his Olympic debut as a judo player for Haiti, Adler Volmar (Coral Springs, Fla.) did not have a chance to fulfill his dream of winning a gold medal for Team USA as he lost in the first round in the 100kg division on Thursday... more> |
 Former Haitian Olympian Adler Volmar Competes for Team USA on Thursday
(Beijing, China) – Twelve years after he made his Olympic debut for Haiti, Adler Volmar (Coral Springs, Fla.) makes his return to the Games on Wednesday when he will compete in the 100kg division.
Volmar, who came back from knee surgery earlier this year to win the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Judo, will compete in the first round against Amel Mekick (BIH) who placed fifth at the 2007 World Championships... more> |
 Ronda Rousey Becomes First U.S. Woman to Win an Olympic Medal in Judo
(Beijing, China) – Ronda Rousey (Wakefield, Mass. / Santa Monica, Calif.) made history on Wednesday night when she became the first U.S. woman to win a medal since judo was introduced as a full medal sport for women in 1992.
The reigning World silver medalist, Rousey won five matches in the 70kg division with only one loss in overtime en route to winning the bronze medal.
After blasting through her first two opponents – Nasiba Surkieva (TKM) and Katarzyna Pilocik (POL) – with wins on the ground in just over three minutes between the two matches, Rousey lost more than three minutes into overtime when 2005 World Champion Edith Bosch (NED) threw her for ippon (instant win).
“I think I fought my absolute best today,” Rousey said. “The match I lost was a great match. I didn’t even feel myself being thrown, but when I looked at it later, it was actually a pretty good throw!”... more> |
Rousey Looks to Make History Tonight in Quest for Olympic Bronze
(Beijing, China) – Twenty-one-year-old Ronda Rousey (Wakefield, Mass. / Santa Monica, Calif.) will seek to become the first U.S. woman to win a medal at the Olympic Games since judo became an Olympic sport in 1992 tonight at 6 p.m. at Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium.
After blasting through her first two opponents – Nasiba Surkieva (TKM) and Katarzyna Pilocik (POL) – in just over three minutes between the two matches, Rousey lost more than three minutes into overtime when 2005 World Champion Edith Bosch (NED) threw her for ippon (instant win)... more> |
Brian Olson Eliminated After First Round at the Olympic Games
(Beijing, China) – Just over a year after 1997 World medalist Brian Olson (Boulder, Colo. / Tallahassee, Fla. / 90kg) came out of retirement, he was eliminated in the first round of his fourth Olympic Games at the Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium.
With the score tied at a penalty each, Olson threw 2008 Pan Am silver medalist Diego Rosatti (ARG) for a yuko (quarter point) score with a minute and 45 seconds remaining in the match... more> |
  World Medalists Ronda Rousey and Brian OlsonLook for a Trip to the Olympic Podium on Wednesday
(Beijing, China) – They each got to Beijing in vastly different manners, but both Ronda Rousey (Wakefield, Mass. / Santa Monica, Calif.) and Brian Olson (Boulder, Colo. / Tallahassee, Fla.) will have the same goal on Wednesday – Olympic gold.
Rousey – the youngest member of Team USA – enters the Games as the reigning World silver medalist and one of the favorites in the 70kg division. Four years after making her Olympic debut as the youngest judo competitor in the entire Games in Athens, Rousey has moved up a weight from 63kg and is now one of the top players in the world with three World Cup titles to her credit.
At 35-years-old, Olson – the Team Captain – is a veteran of four Olympic Teams who won his World bronze medal in 1997 when 10-year-old Rousey hadn’t even dreamed of taking up the sport... more> |
Travis Stevens Places Ninth in Olympic Debut
 (Beijing, China) – Within an hour after 22-year-old Travis Stevens (Glenville, N.Y. / Tacoma Wash.) placed ninth in the 81kg division on Tuesday, he was already making plans for tonight’s workout, tomorrow’s workout and the gold medal he hopes to win in London four years from now.
A Pan American Games Champion who won his first international gold medal at the U.S. Open less than two years ago, Stevens began his Olympic Games with a first round bye and a second round match that ended in just over three minutes... more> |
Gotay and Reser Eliminated in Early Rounds at the Olympic Games
(Beijing, China) – In a day in which the favorites at the Olympic Games were – sometimes literally – turned upside down, 57kg player Valerie Gotay (Harlingen, Texas / Temecula, Calif.) and 73kg player Ryan Reser (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Dallas, Texas) were among a list of medal hopefuls who were eliminated early on Monday at the Beijing University Science & Technology Gymnasium.
In her first match against Gulzat Uralbayeva (KAZ), Gotay found herself trailing when the junior player threw her for a waza-ari (half-point) score.
Uralbayeva earned a penalty, but Gotay was still behind going into the fourth minute... more> |
Valerie Gotay and Ryan Reser Compete at 57kg and 73kg on Monday
(Beijing, China) – Sixteen years after she qualified for the Beijing Olympic Games as an 18-year-old, Valerie Gotay (Harlingen, Texas / San Diego, Calif.) returns to the Games on Monday as a 34-year-old mother of two in the 57kg division looking for her long-awaited trip to the podium... more> |
Taylor Takata Places Ninth in Olympic Debut
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Photo Credit: Larry Slater |
(Beijing, China) – Taylor Takata (Colorado Springs, Colo. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center) placed ninth in his Olympic debut in the 66kg division on Sunday at the Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium.
Takata finish is the best result in the first two days of competition at the Games for a U.S. judo player.
In the first round, Takata and four-time World Cup medalist Tariel Zintiridis (GRE) fought for a scoreless five minutes, but Takata won the match in Golden Score (overtime) when he threw Zintiridis with a kata guruma (fireman’s carry) for a yuko (quarter-point) score… more> |
Taylor Takata Competes in his First Olympic Games in the 66kg Division on Sunday
 (Beijing, China) – Taylor Takata (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Wahiawa, Hawaii) will be only the fourth Hawaiian judo player ever to compete at the Olympic Games when he takes to the mat in the 66kg division on Sunday.
After a first-round bye, Takata will fight Tariel Zintiridis (GRE). Although Zintiridis is competing at his first Olympic Games, the 20-year-old has made a name for himself already with four World Cup medals and a Junior World title to his credit... more> |
Williams-Murray Upsets Hiroaki Hiroaka, But Fails to Advance to the Medal Rounds
(Beijing, China) – It had been 16 years since a Japanese player lost an Olympic match, but the streak ended on Saturday when Taraje Williams-Murray (Wakefield, Mass. / Bronx, N.Y.) upset reigning Asian and Paris Super World Cup Champion Hiroaki Hiroaka (JPN).
Hiroaka ascended to the Japanese lightweight throne that was long held by three-time Olympic Champion Tadahiro Nomura (JPN) and was expected by many to pick up where Nomura left off. Williams-Murray outgripped his opponent throughout the match and Hiroaka was awarded a penalty that gave the American the lead.
“I had the opportunity to do some scouting before the match. I was extremely well prepared. My coaches back at home, Jimmy Pedro and Rhadi Ferguson, gave me some keys to stick to and I came in confident… more> |
Ten Questions with 48kg Player Sayaka Matsumoto
 (Beijing, China) – Sayaka Matsumoto (El Cerrito, Calif. / Richmond, Calif.) narrowly missed the past two Olympic Games when she was an alternate to the 2000 Olympic Team and fell one slot short of qualifying the division for the United States in 2004. Twenty-five-year-old Matsumoto will finally get her chance to fight on the largest stage in the world on Saturday when she opens the Games with her first-round 48kg match against seven-time World Champion Ryoko Tani (JPN).
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Women’s 48kg and Men’s 60kg Olympic Games Preview
(Beijing, China) – In a weird twist of fate, SayakaMatsumoto (El Cerrito, Calif. / Richmond, Calif.) will compete against the one player she said she wanted the opportunity to fight in the first round and that the rest of the world fears – reigning Olympic and seven-time World Champion Ryoko Tani (JPN).
Matsumoto’s match will be the first of the entire Games and will begin at noon at the Beijing University of Science and Technology Gymnasium. Preliminary rounds will run until completion and the evening finals (including semifinals, repechage finals and gold and bronze medal matches) will begin at 6 p.m.
A legend in the sport, 32-year-old Tani hasn’t lost at the Olympic Games since 1996 when she placed second behind a fresh-faced teenager – Sun Hui Kye (PRK). Kye would later move through two weight divisions and four World titles as part of her ascent to the top of the 57kg division... more> |
Team USA Meets Former President Bush
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 2008 Olympic Games Judo Preview
(Beijing, China) – With five of the 10 members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team competing to Beijing as veterans of at least one previous Games, this year’s Team brings experience from both past Team members as well as first-timers who have had extensive international success.
Competition begins on Saturday at the University of Science and Technology Beijing Gymnasium and can be viewed live in the United States at www.nbcolympics.com... more>
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Four-Time Olympian Brian Olson Named Olympic Team Captain
 (Beijing, China) – With three Olympic Games and 25 years of competition under his belt, Brian Olson (Boulder, Colo. / NYAC / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center) brings a high level of both leadership and judo experience to the U.S. Olympic Team for Judo and will bring those qualities to his role as team captain.
Olson was named to the honorary role by his fellow athletes who unanimously elected him to the position on Wednesday.
A 1997 World medalist, Olson retired after the 2004 Games, but the 35-year-old came back to competition in October with the goal of winning a medal...more> |
Free Time in Beijing Photo Gallery
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Day 2 Practice Photos
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Operation 2012 Athletes Travel with Olympic Team to Beijing
(Beijing, China) – Six up-and-coming judo players traveled with Team USA to Beijing on Friday to work out with the Olympians and prepare for what to expect as they train for the Olympic Games in 2012.
“These young athletes will work out with the Team, experience the atmosphere and learn about everything that goes into the Olympics so that in 2012 they will be ready not just to participate... |
First Day of Practice Photo Gallery
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Team USA Arrives in Beijing Photo Gallery
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Team USA Practicing at San Jose State University Photo Gallery
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Team Processing Photo Gallery
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NBCOlympics.com to Webcast Judo LIVE From the Olympics
 As part of an exciting new lineup that will include more than 200 hours of daily coverage, NBC recently announced that judo will be shown live on www.NBCOlympics.com during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Action will begin on August 9 with both mats being shown simultaneously each day during the preliminary competition which begins at 12 a.m. EDT.
Final rounds will begin at 6 a.m. EDT and will include repechage finals, semifinals and gold and bronze medal matches.
“The live streaming and on-demand video of both fighting areas for these Olympic Games should allow for the growth of judo... more> |
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