Member News

Team USA head to London for British Open

May 12, 2011

Colorado Springs, CO – Eleven athletes headed for London to represent USA Judo in the British Open this weekend, joining more than 400 judo fighters from 24 countries for competition on Saturday and Sunday.

Last year, judoka from 16 countries competed in this elite tournament sponsored by the European Judo Union with the Netherlands topping the medal count ahead of France and Britain.

Following is USA Judo’s roster listed with athletes’ weight divisions and clubs:

Alexa Liddie, 48 kg, US Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO

Veronica Graves, 57 kg, US Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO

Anna Palmer, 57 kg, US Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO

Pauline Macias, 57 kg, US Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO

Christal Ransom, 63 kg, US Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO

Leilani Akiyama,  63 kg, US Judo Training Center, Bellevue, WA

Samantha Bleier, 70 kg, US Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO

Toshiya Nishimura, 66 kg, US Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO

Austin Cook, 66 kg, US Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO

Matthew Parker, 73 kg, US Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO

Ajax Tadehara, 100 kg, Idaho State University Judo Club, Pocatello, ID

-- Story by Ernest Pund