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Travis Stevens takes GOLD At World Cup in Uzbekistan

September 18, 2011 – Collecting points and training toward the Olympics in London next year, Travis Stevens took a gold medal for Team USA at a World Cup competition over the weekend in Uzbekistan.

Stevens (Team FORCE, Wakefield, Mass.) is a favored fighter to win a medal for the US at the Olympics. He won all four matches in the 81kg division to take the World Cup gold at the tournament in Tashkent, the nation’s capital city.

“I had a good day over all. I fought Uzbekistan first round, who was very tough, the strongest guy physically throughout the day. I was able to tire him out with newaza and beat him on two penalties.”

Stevens’ second match was against a Swiss fighter. “He was another strong kid. Half way through the match I was able to catch him with uchimata for wazari, then he got three penalties to end the match.”

Stevens faced Canada in the semi finals. “I was able to throw him with a one handed osoto and quickly follow up with newaza for an arm bar for the win.”

Then came the finals. “I got the match I was hoping for,” Stevens said. “I wanted to fight the Japanese player. I don’t know why but I like to fight with them. I match up well and they are always interesting. I threw him in the first minute with a yoko tomoyanagi for yuko -- it should have been ippon. Then I threw him for another yuko and finally for ippon with a head and arm move. Over all, it was a good day. I felt very relaxed. I expected myself to win and had no doubt.”

"Travis travelled to Uzbekistan with the mission of winning Gold and gaining 100 points to help secure his spot in the 2012 Olympics and remain in top 8 on world ranking list," commented said Jimmy Pedro, two-time Olympic Bronze Medalist and Steven’s coach in Wakefiled, Mass. "Mission accomplished!"

"I am very proud of Travis' win as the US has not had many gold medals in International World Cup events,” Pedro said. “This is a great confidence booster for him."

Also placing for Team USA were Christal Ransom, 63 kg (OTC, Colorado Springs, CO) and up-and-coming Angelica Delgado, 52kg (Ki-Itsu-Sai, Coral Springs, FL) who both took 5^th in their divisions. Taking 7^th in the 63kg division was Hannah Martin, (Jason Morris Judo, Genville, NY).

For complete results, click HERE.

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