Member News
February 5, 2006
Rousey Wins Gold, Chandler Bronze at Belgian Ladies Open
(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – Nothing says “Happy Birthday” like winning gold in the first major European event of the season.
Ronda Rousey (Buffalo Grove, Ill./NYAC/Cohen’s Judo Club) spent her nineteenth birthday on a plane to Belgium last Wednesday, but clearly made the trip worth her while, winning seven straight matches to claim the title at the Belgian Ladies Open in Arlon on Sunday.
Not only did Rousey go undefeated in a 45-woman pool, but she also had the opportunity to defeat two major rivals on the way.
In the first round of her pool competition, Rousey faced off against Marie-Helene Chisholm (CAN), a fifth-place finisher at the 2004 Olympic Games and 2005 World Championships in the first round. Rousey beat Chisholm in a Golden Score (overtime) period as her first of three wins to take first place in her pool and advance to the main draw.
After a bye in the first round and a win over Bianca Geerdts (GER) in the draw, Rousey had a second chance at Alice Schlesinger (ISR) who caused the American’s early round exit at the 2005 World Championships. Like Rousey, Schlesinger is considered to be one of judo’s youngest stars, claiming top-five finishes at European A-Level events at 15-years-old and winning a bronze medal at the 2004 World Junior Championships in the 57kg division at age 16 – the same year a 17-year-old Rousey won the title at 63kg.
Rousey defeated both Schlesinger and Christina Marzok (GER), a medalist at this event in 2003 and 2004 in order to advance to the final against Chisholm.
No Golden Score needed this time though as Rousey threw Chisholm first and then pinned her for the win.
“It was definitely a hard day with that many matches, but I’m happy with how I fought,” Rousey said.
The title marks the first at a European B-Level event for Rousey, a 2004 Olympian.
Carrie Chandler (Scotia, N.Y./NYAC/Jason Morris Judo Center/57kg) claimed a second medal for the United States, winning bronze and fighting her way through seven matches.
Chandler defeated Jayne Clason (GBR) and Kim Boonen (BEL) to win the pool and move on to the main draw where she would pick up two more matches before losing to eventual gold medalist Riecarda Rau (GER).
Undiscouraged, Chandler fought well and advanced to the bronze medal match where she armbarred Clementine Harnichard (FRA) for a win by ippon (instant win).
“I’m so happy!” Chandler exclaimed after the match. “I was nervous going into the last match, but when I got out onto the mat it just felt like she didn’t want it as badly as I did.”
This is Chandler’s second European medal during the past year after winning bronze at the 2005 Czech Open.
“After being named as part of the Fab Four this year, I really wanted to live up to that title and I’m glad I did so well today,” Chandler said. “I felt a lot of support out there and I thought that we were all unified as a team.”
Valerie Gotay (Temecula, Calif./Judo America/57kg) was looking for a medal of her own as she fought 2005 British Open silver medalist Gabrielle Deflorenne (FRA) in the bronze medal match.
Gotay scored early, but lost the match on a penalty and placed fifth overall.
After failing to advance in Saturday’s junior event, 15-year-old Jeanette Rodriguez (North Lauderdale, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site/48kg) was one of the top U.S. women in the senior event, finishing seventh.
Rodriguez was part of a contingent of five junior athletes who competed in the Belgian Ladies Open through the USA Judo Junior Development Program.
Rodriguez also is a member of the newly created USA Judo Elite U-23 Program in which selected athletes with the potential to reach the medal stand in the future receive assistance through specialized coaching, training and funding to attend select events.
U-23 competitors in Belgium included Rodriguez as well as 2005 World Team member Katie Mocco (Scotia, N.Y./NYAC/Jason Morris Judo Center/70kg), 2005 British Open bronze medalist Eva Smith (Fall River, Mass./Taki-Gawa/+78kg) and 14-year-old Franchesca Durand (Coral Springs, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site/52kg) who won a bronze medal in the junior competition on Saturday.
Complete results are as follows:
Women’s 48kg
1. Juliea Kriesten (GER)
2. Leen Dom (BEL)
3. Severine Pesch (GER)
3. Donna Robertson (GBR)
7. Jeanette Rodriguez (North Lauderdale, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)
Women’s 52kg
1. Rau Riecarda (GER)
2. Elise Panei (FRA)
3. Carrie Chandler (Scotia, N.Y./NYAC/Jason Morris Judo Center)
3. Sanna Askelof (SWE)
Also Competed: Jessica Sternick (Mansfield, Pa. Mansfield University Judo), 1-2, and Franchesca Durand (Coral Springs, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site), 0-3.
Women’s 57kg
1. Lena Goldi (SUI)
2. Cindy Huber (FRA)
3. Chloe Guerrier (FRA)
3. Gabrielle Deflorenne (FRA)
5. Valerie Gotay (Temecula, Calif./Judo America)
Also Competed: Hannah Martin (Burnt Hills, N.Y./Judo America), 0-2 and Angelica Delgado (North Lauderdale, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site), 0-3.
Women’s 63kg
1. Ronda Rousey (Buffalo Grove, Ill./NYAC/Cohen’s Judo Club)
2. Marie-Helene Chisholm (CAN)
3. Emmanuelle Payet (FRA)
3. Christina Marzok (GER)
Also Competed: Kristen Allen (Springfield, Va./Sport Judo), 0-3.
Women’s 70kg
1. Heide Wollert (GER)
2. Veronique Diebolt (FRA)
3. Catherine Roberge (CAN)
3. Magali Leguay (FRA)
Also Competed: Katie Mocco (Scotia, N.Y./NYAC/Jason Morris Judo Center), 1-2.
Women’s 78kg
1. Annett Bohm (GER)
2. Anastasiia Matrosova (UKR)
3. Brenda Jerissen (NED)
3. Gabi Teichmann (GER)
Also Competed: Nina Cutro-Kelly (Albany, N.Y./Judo America), 1-2 and Marina Shafir (Latham, N.Y./Judo America), 0-3.
Women’s +78kg
1. Katrin Beinroth (GER)
2. Sarah Adlington (GBR)
3. Katja Kressmann (GER)
3. Frauke Vortmann (GER)
Also Competed: Eva Smith (Fall River, Mass./Taki-Gawa), 0-3 |
