Member News

December 23, 2005

Destination Beijing and Beyond

As the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games rapidly approach, an ad-hoc committee consisting of various constituents from within USA Judo met in Miami, Fla., Dec. 15-16 to discuss plans for the development of USA Judo athletes and programs through 2008 and beyond.

This is the second meeting held to create a plan for athlete development in the coming years with the first being held in October in San Francisco.

2006 National Select Team

Four top-ranked judo athletes were named to the 2006 National Select Team based upon their performances during this calendar year.  Ronda Rousey (Santa Monica, Calif./63kg), Valerie Gotay (Temecula, Calif./57kg), Carrie Chandler (Scotia, N.Y./52kg) and Ryan Reser (Colorado Springs, Colo./73kg) each will receive direct athlete support from the U.S. Olympic Committee.  These four athletes also will be offered the opportunity to participate in a two week or longer international exchange program through USOC financial assistance. 

Senior Elite Athlete Funding

In addition to members of the National Select Team, all senior elite athletes will have the opportunity to earn monthly stipends through an incentive pool of funding as per below:

All point totals are based upon results achieved in “A” or “B” Level events.  This pool includes a maximum of $20,000.  Once these funds are exhausted, the program will conclude for the year.

Additional athlete incentives also are available through USA Judo and U.S. Olympic Committee funds:

                            “A” & “A+” Level Events

                            “B” Level Events – (European and Asian Tournaments)

* Must win at least three matches.  Round Robin excluded. No byes, no walkovers.

Senior elite athletes who are ranked as a B Level or greater, also are eligible for the 2006 USA Judo Elite Athlete Training Grant Request Program in which athletes may apply for funding to participate in international training camps or competitions. 

Pan American Championships

The Pan American Championships will be held May 24-29 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  This B-Level event is the first of a five-tournament series that serves as the qualification system for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games with the remaining events being the 2007 and 2008 Pan American Championships, 2007 Pan American Games and 2008 Olympic Zone Qualifier.  The 2006 National Championships, April 20-22 in Houston, Texas, will serve as the trials for this event.

Junior World Championships

The 2006 Junior World Championships will be held Oct. 12-15 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  The Trials for this team will be held in conjunction with the

Junior U.S. Open and will include the top four ranked IJF-Junior athletes in attendance in Olympic weight divisions.    The #1 and #4-ranked athletes will fight with the winner competing against the winner of the #2/#3 matchup.  If the top-ranked athlete wins the Trials, he/she will be named to the team.  If another athlete wins the Trials, he/she will fight against the top-ranked athlete in a “sudden death” face-off with the winner taking the slot on the Junior World Team.

U-23 Team

Two-time Olympic medalist Jimmy Pedro (Methuen, Mass.) has been appointed to oversee the newly created U-23 Team which will bridge the gap between the junior and senior levels and provide support and experience to athletes ages 17-22 who have the potential to reach the top levels of judo success. 

Members of the U-23 Team will be announced at a later date and will be given the opportunity to compete at the Belgium Open, Feb. 4-5.

Junior Development

Junior Development Chair Jim Hrbek is researching opportunities for international competition which will be posted on the Junior Competition Opportunities page and appear in USA Judo Breaking News as they arise.  The Junior Development Committee also is working on the creation of new programs and incentives for athletes ages 19 and under during the 2006 season.

Destination Beijing and Beyond meeting participants included:  

• Jose H. Rodriguez, USA Judo Executive Director/CEO
• Israel Hernandez, Head Coach of the Brownsville USA Judo National Training Site
• Jhonny Prado, Head Coach of the North Miami USA Judo National Training Site
• German Velazco, Head Coach of the North Miami USA Judo National Training Site
• Eddie Liddie, Director of Coaching and Athlete Development
• Jason Morris, 2005 World Championship Team Coach
• Reno Reser, Athlete Representative
• Leo White, Development Director
• Brett Barron, Coaching and Training Chair
• Jim Hrbek, Junior Development Chair
• Tommy Dyer, Past Development Director
• David Matsumoto, Past Development Director