Kayla Harrison Takes GOLD
At Grand Prix in China
December 18, 2011-- Team USA’s Kayla Harrison beat the 2008 Olympic Champion from China to take the Gold Medal at the Grand Prix Qingdao today.
"This is a huge win for Kayla,” said Jimmy Pedro, Jr., her coach who was back in the states. “One of the purposes for this trip was for Kayla to get a chance to compete against the Chinese girl because she has never fought her before. Getting a chance to fight her in the final in China and beating her by ippon couldn't have worked out better!" he said. Pedro is the head coach of the US Olympic Judo Team.
Pedro’s dad, Jim Pedro Sr., coached Harrison overseas first to take silver in Tokyo at a Grand Slam just a week ago and then in China today. "We had planned on using these tournaments for training,” said Pedro, Sr. “The most important thing is the Olympics. So in Tokyo we didn't know what to expect because we didn't peak for that tournament. In Tokyo, beating the eighth seed from Slovenia and then beating the number four woman in the world, the Brazilian, was key.”
Pedro Sr. continued, “We feel as if Kayla is ahead of schedule right now, coming close to winning a gold medal in Tokyo. Then going into the Grand Prix after a high in Tokyo we weren't sure if Kayla would have a let-down. The whole idea of us coming here was to get matches in, and to see how she matches up with certain people for the Olympics. We were able to get key matches in with the number-two Japanese girl and then the Olympic champion from China who she's never fought. Having three ippons, one with an armlock and two with throws, while also having a couple strategic matches, will give her the experience she needs for the Olympics and that's really what these tournaments are all about.”
Harrison’s dramatic success has had an impact on the field competitors and how other teams now view her. “Now that other countries are scouting Kayla,” Pedro Sr. said, “they are constantly changing the way they play her. But if she (Kayla) continues to work and improve we will be able to add to her repertoire and they won't be able to catch her."
“Kayla now knows she can beat everybody in the 78 kg division so now it is just a matter of having a solid game plan for each opponent in London,” Pedro Jr. said. “She's right where she needs to be to win it all.”
Harrison was on fire from the start, defeating South Korea’s Ji Yeon Yu by ippon with an arm bar. In her second match, Harrison won again by ippon in just 23 seconds against Kyrgyzstan’s Dinara Kakharova. Facing Japan’s Ruika Sato, Harrison picked up two yukos to one to win on penalties. That put Harrison in the semi-finals, defeating France’s Lucie Louette by a yuko again on penalties.
Her final round for the gold, against the 2008 Olympic Champion in this division was a key reason for Kayla to go to this tournament. At this elite level so close to the Olympics, winning is not the only goal. Athletes are looking to fight the competitors they will face across the mat in London next year. For Harisson, mission accomplished, with harai makikomi for ippon.
For complete results and brackets, go to IPPON.ORG.
- Story by Ernest Pund
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