ILLINOIS JUDO NEWSLETTER – IPPON!!!
August 6, 2006

President:              Tim Schultheis
VP:                          Mary Gail Ford
Secretary:              Dennis Helm
Treasurer:              Irwin Cohen
Editor:                    Kei Narimatsu

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Illinois Judo Newsletter – IPPON!! is the voice of Illinois Judo, sent whenever convenient to members of Illinois Judo and other interested parties. All articles and content are the opinion of the editor unless otherwise noted and do not reflect the opinion of Illinois Judo, its officers or members.  Information is gathered from various sources expressly sent for distribution.  Contents may contain inaccurate information.  If anyone can correct any inaccuracies, they will be published as soon as possible.  Information presented will be of a general nature only and will not promote any national organization except USJI/USA Judo or any of its state governing bodies.  Tournament and clinic notifications will be made for all organizations and will be guaranteed posted if sent to the editor in electronic format ONLY and in a timely manner.  Illinois Judo will make every effort to respect your privacy and never sell, trade, or otherwise abuse the privilege of serving you via this e-mail newsletter.

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Contents:

Editorial – Observations of a Referee

IJI Election and Planning meeting – August 19, 2006

USA JUDO NEW www.usjudo.org

      Junior US Open Day 2 Results

      Junior US Open Day 1 Results

      2006 Junior World Team Named After Trials

      Junior Point Tournament in Mexico

USA Judo Develops Cultural Exchange Program

Serving Our Country

Something to think about – Make a Difference

Upcoming Event

USA Judo Life Members –

Editorial – Observations of a Referee

This International Junior Open Championships held last weekend in Ft Lauderdale, FL proved to be one of the most exciting two days of competition Judo has seen in years.  The Championships were held as usual along with the first ever Junior World Trials for team selection to the Junior World Championships in Santo Domingo this October.  The highlight of these Championships was the highly emotional and hotly contested match between Nick DiPopolo (Jason Morris Judo Center - NY) and Bobby Lee (Ki-Itsu-Sai - FL).  These two fought twice on Saturday with DiPopolo winning twice in the World Trials.  DePopolo won the deciding 2^nd match in the best of three series, with a kaieshi waza off a Lee uchimata for the IPPON win and a spot on the highly coveted Junior World Team.  The next day, they both met again in the finals of the IJF 73kg division.  Evenly matched, each fought hard to gain an advantage during the regulation 5 minutes.  Constant attacking and strategic moves for both were to no avail as the match ended in no score.  The fans were cheering and chanting for there favorite player.  The air was charged with electricity as the match headed into Golden Score.  Both players were giving 150% to the effort and you could sense that something dramatic was going to happen.  The match started off as it finished.  Lots of action and complete exhaustion.  Still no score.  Well into the third minute of play, DiPopolo attempted an Uchimata on Lee.  Lee, with every effort he could muster, countered with an ouchi gari for an Ippon and the Championship.  The crowd, the fans, the coaches, the referees ALL applauded the tremendous effort both of these competitors exhibited that day.  It was a privilege to be there and watch history being made.  Two great athletes fighting for the GOLD.  This was one of Judo’s finest hours. 

Observations of a referee:  This competition brought some of the best competitors from the United States, PJU and Europe vying for an International medal.  This competition brought the best of the US players for a spot on the World Junior Team.  This competition also brought some of the best referees together this country has to offer.  Because of the highly charged nature of this event, emotions of both players and coaches were sometimes apparent in action and deeds.  I thought the refereeing was excellent overall and in spite of this effort, several incidences marred the otherwise excellent job our referees performed for two days.  I mention this because the newly formed Coaches Education Committee, under the direction of Mr Pat Burris (72 and 76 Olympian) and Sergeant Major Mayfield (Coach Liaison) came to speak to the referees to express their concern about the relationship coaches and referee have towards each other. 

Can there be bias from the referees in how a match is adjudicated?  Can a referee be influenced by the actions of a coach on the sideline?  Can coaching behaviors be unacceptable?  Do most referees ignore bad behavior exhibited by a coach?  Do coaches (who are also referees) try to intimidate referees?  Do coaches get personal when they know the referee on the mat?  Do referees retaliate by calling something or not calling something?  The answer to all of these questions is a resounding YES.  And I bring this up because not two weeks ago, in another editorial entitled RESPECT, these same concerns were addressed.  Now the Coaches Education Committee is going to do something about it.

Bad behavior from coaches will no longer be tolerated by the coaching committee regardless of who the coach is.  A well known coach or a local club coach may be equally penalized if their behavior does not meet the standards of respectful discourse.  If a coach is making calls, intimidating a referee, getting personal, not sitting in their chair or any number of other indiscretions, their coach’s credentials may be pulled and they will be removed from the venue.  This suspension may be for the day or event and may even involve loss of credential for future events (i.e., losing the invitation to coach at National events and at international events including the Olympic Games).  We have assurances that the coaches committee will police their own and I have to believe they will.  In return, this committee asks only for fair and judicious rulings so that the right player wins the match without bias or influence.  THIS SEEMS FAIR TO ME.

What about the referees?  In my opinion, we already have guidelines in place for education and monitoring of our referees:

· We have juries (senior referee) on each mat to watch each match to insure fairness

· Juries have become more interactive and will intervene when necessary to correct an injustice

· Referees have been pulled from the mat when they are unable to fulfill their duties as a referee

· Referees are evaluated after each major competition as to level of skills they exhibited for that event

· At the end of the year, the average ratings earned will allow that referee to move up, move down or stay the same

· Referees have a grading system that allows certain referees to work certain events only

· Consideration and thought does go into the selection of referees for each mat and where they are positioned during the day

· Commentary is given by the jury for referees coming off the mat

· Juries have called referees to the side for conferences during and after a match to insure that the right player wins or if a lesson can be learned

· Referees are encouraged to travel to events to work as many different events in different areas as possible – all at their own expense I might add

· We have referee meetings/clinics before every major championship and encourage 1 hour clinics before every tournament – large or small

· For final matches, selection of the best referees for the day is being considered 

· The newly formed Referee Education Committee will be used to monitor the effectiveness of our current system and make recommendations to improve it

With this simple statement, I believe that the Coach Education Committee has taken a huge step in validating and improving coaching to a more professional and collegial level.  Time will tell but I believe Pat when he says he is serious about making changes so that Judo coaching and ultimately our players will become world class in all aspects of this sport.  I believe you will have the support of the referees in this effort and realistically, all of Judo.  Thank you Pat. 

IJI ELECTIONS and PLANNING MEETING – August 19, 2006

Tim Schultheis, the newly elected President of Illinois Judo, in an interview with this editor, stated that he is very excited about the challenges of being President of Illinois Judo.  His plan is to get a board together that can work together, plan events, develop a website, initiate new programs, develop collegiality among our members, train referees, coaches and teachers, re-instate the Illinois State Championships, raised needed funds for athlete support.  While these are admirable goals for anyone to have, it will not happen unless YOU, the membership, support Tim and this board.  Lip service will not accomplish anything.  Sacrificing for the greater good of the organization will be needed.  Working for Illinois Judo, without personal or club agendas will an absolute necessity.  This support must come from Chicago and Northern Illinois as well as the South.  This support must come from the largest clubs in the state to the smallest.  This support must come from us “old-timers” as well as the newbie’s.  This support must come from athletes, referees, coaches, instructors and PARENTS.  It is NOT Tim Schultheis’ Illinois Judo.  It is OURS. 

Illinois Judo is a resilient organization who can come together very fast.  Evidence of this was at the Middle School, High School and Collegiate Nationals this past March.  In less that three months, Illinois Judo came together for the first time in at least 8 years to host a National Championship(as a state group) and did it very well.  Not only that, Tohkon hosted an international team from Japan at the same time.  We multi-tasked and made it happen.  This is the paradigm that Illinois Judo will have to undergo if we are to be a successful state governing body.  I personally know we can do it.  The issue is do you?  Let’s get it together and make it happen. 

USJI News
Complete coverage of these articles available at the USA Judo website.  Click on the link http://www.usjudo.org/  and click on the What's New page to see all the recent news items.  The items listed below may or may not be linked already.  To get further information on any of these stories, it is better to go to the USA Judo website.

Junior U.S. Open Day 2 Results

(Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) – In what has now morphed into the rivalry to watch in U.S. junior competition, 17-year-olds Bobby Lee (Lauderhill, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site) and Nick Delpopolo (Glenville, N.Y. / Jason Morris Judo Center) were at it again Sunday in the finals of the 73kg under-20 IJF-Junior division at the Junior U.S. Open in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

On Saturday the duo fought twice at the Junior World Trials with Delpopolo taking both matches and the Junior World Trials slot.

And while those matches were riddled with penalties and just the right hint of controversy, Sunday’s final had all of the tension and none of the penalties.

In fact, five minutes of throws, attacks and screaming from the crowd later, neither athlete had scored.

The crowd, who by had long ago staked out their mat side seats, roared as the match was sent to Golden Score (overtime). 

Two minutes into the Golden Score session, it looked like Delpopolo might overtake Lee who looked to be fading fast as the clock kept ticking; however, within 30 seconds, Lee saw an open opportunity and threw Delpopolo with an o uchi gari (major inner reaping leg throw) for ippon (instant win).

The win also would give Lee the Most Outstanding Male Competitor Award.

Athens Olympian Ronda Rousey (Buffalo Grove, Ill. / NYAC / Cohen’s Judo Club / 63kg) won the Most Outstanding Female Competitor Award, trouncing her opponents in rapid fashion, including a 13-second throw of Natalie Laursen (Livermore, Calif. / Amador Judo) who she also beat Saturday to qualify for her second Junior World Team.

Rousey and Lee both received $250 from the Junior U.S. Open which had previously promised the award to any U.S. athlete who won the awards.

Lee, Rousey and 10 other athletes also received $200 from the USA Judo Development Committee and $100 from the Junior U.S. Open, both of whom had pledged incentives to any U.S. athlete who won an IJF-Junior Olympic weight division.

Junior World Team member Jeanette Rodriguez (Margate, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site / 48kg) picked up another Junior U.S. Open title in a five-minute match against #2 Brenna Clark (Hercules, Calif. / Okubu Judo / East Bay Judo Institute). 

Clark, who lost to Rodriguez in the Junior World Trials final, was in better form Sunday, coming back from a two koka (smallest points) deficit to take the lead with a throw for yuko (quarter-point). 

Rodriguez was made to work for it, but soon picked up another yuko that would guarantee her the match.

Junior World Team member Franchesca Durand (Coral Springs, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site / 52kg) squeaked out a final round win by a shido (penalty) scored less than 90 seconds into the match over Ecuadorian Cristina Sanchez-Ortega. 

At 57kg, Junior World Team member Hannah Martin (Albany, N.Y. / Jason Morris Judo Center) lost in the first 40 seconds of her final match to Estefania Garcia Mendoza, getting thrown for ippon.

Kayla Harrison (Middletown, Ohio / Renshuden / 70kg) repeated her two Junior World Trials victories over Katie Sell (Oshkosh, Wis. / Welcome Mat Judo), throwing her 24 seconds into the match with an o goshi (hip throw) for ippon.

Junior World Team member Marina Shafir (Latham, N.Y. / Jason Morris Judo Center / 78kg) was defeated for the first time by a U.S. junior for the first time in recent history, losing in a round robin match to 14-year-old Marina Lambert (Chesapeake, Va. / Washington Judo Club) who would win gold.

Canadian Alyssa Caughy (CAN / Winnipeg, Canada / UniverJudo Manitoba) won the women’s heavyweight division, posting a round robin win over Junior World Team member Brittni Bradford (Land O’Lakes, Fla. / St. Pete Judo) who finished second.

On the men’s side, Jeremy Liggett (Scotia, N.Y. / NYAC / Jason Morris Judo Center / 60kg) did not compete against either of the athletes he beat on Saturday at the Junior World Trials, but he did pick up a win over Ronnie Talledo (PER / North Lauderdale, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai) who sent Liggett into the loser’s bracket at the U.S. Judo Federation Junior National Championships last week in Fort Lauderdale.

In the final, Liggett was down by an early shido against Jose Romero Cano (ECU), but threw Romero for a koka to tie the match which looked to be headed into Golden Score territory when Liggett, never one to slow down during the final minute of any match, threw Romero for a yuko with three seconds on the clock to win his second consecutive Junior U.S. Open title.

International players George Ramos (Miami, Fla. / Miami Judo) and Ivan Lopouchanski (Hollywood, Fla. / Budokan) placed first and second in the 66kg division, respectively.  Earlier in the day, Lopouchanski defeated Junior World Team member AJ Silverman (Scotia, N.Y. / Jason Morris Judo Center) in the semi-finals.  Silverman would then win the bronze medal in the division.

After warming up mat side for at least 10 minutes watching the Lee-Delpopolo match, Junior World Team member Yuko Sin (Scotia, N.Y. / Jason Morris Judo Center / 81kg) defeated #3-ranked Phillip Spano (Tampa, Fla. / El Mambi) in less time than it took Lee and Delpopolo to fix their belts at the end of their match.

Jacob Larsen (Santa Rosa, Calif. / Redwood Coast Judo), a Junior World Team member at 90kg, got thrown for waza-ari by Canadian Michael Leger early in their final match.  Larsen attempted a pin, but became unsuccessful within the first five seconds.  Undaunted, though, Larsen came back with an almost immediate attack, throwing Leger for ippon.

Paul Gomez (Garland, Texas / Becerra Judo), who won the light heavyweight division less than a month ago at the USA Judo Junior Olympics, earned another junior win, pinning Giorgio Gazzani (Panorama City, Calif. / Valley Judo) for a yuko and then throwing him for ippon.  Zane Malloy (Oak Harbor, Wash. / N.A.S. Whidbey Island), the Junior World Team member in this division, lost to Gazzani in the semi-finals and finished third.

Aaron Shiosaki (Lomita, Calif. / Gardena), the heavyweight Junior World Team representative, won gold against Jorge Sierra (PUR), first scoring a waza-ari (half-point) and then pinning Sierra for the win.

Competition also was held Sunday in age divisions for 8-12-year-olds.

Complete results for all age divisions are as follows:

Girls Bantam (Born 1998 or later); 23kg 

1. Teniya Alo (Hawaii)

2. Gabriella Prado (Coral Springs, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai)

3. Amber Pair, (Idaho / McCall Judo)

4. Giovana Prado (Coral Springs, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai)

5. Rebecca Lewers (Coconut Creek, Fla. / Budokan)

Girls Bantam; 27kg     

1. Ana C. Nazario (PUR / Guaynas, Puerto Rico / San Francisco Judo)

2. Natasha Romero (PUR / Caguas, Puerto Rico / San Francisco Judo Club)

Girls Bantam; 31kg     

1. Leora Peysakhova (N.Y. / Japan Judo)

2. Jelena Veskov (Virginia / Arlington Judo)

3. Madison Shields (Idaho / McCall Judo)

Boys Bantam; 23kg      

1. Zachary Sherman (Plantation, Fla. / Vigness Judo)

2. Benjamin Prado (Coral Springs, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai)

3. Holden Heller (Ill. / Cohen's Judo)

3. Angel-Chris Dominguez (Colorado / Hyland Hills Judo)

5. Mathew Barella (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Timberline judo)

5. Max Lopez (Miami, Fla. / Champion Martial Arts)

Boys Bantam; 27kg      

1. Christopher Alvarez (Miami, Fla. / Champion Martial Arts)

2. Bishop Rapoza (Hawaii / Hawaii Tenri Judo)

3. Logan Bryant (Miami, Fla. / Miami Judo Academy)

3. Noah Nesenman (Miami / Miami Judo AC)

5. Michael Ruiz (PUR / Aguarda, Puerto Rico / Aguada Judo Club)

5. Stanford Tolbert (Fla. / Onikusu)

Boys Bantam; 31kg      

1. Nicholas Stampley (North lauderdale, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai)

2. Yariv Bar-or (ISR / Maryland / College Park Judo)

3. Ramiro Aliendo (ARG / Coral Springs, Fla./Ki-Itsu-Sai)

3. Carlos G. Casals (PUR / San Juan, Puerto Rico / San Francisco Judo)

5. Sean Fraino (Livermore, Calif. / Amador Judo Club)

5. Sage Heller (Ill. / Cohen's Judo)

Boys Bantam; 35kg      

1. Keith Brown (Jackson, Miss. / Melton Judo Club)

Girls Intermediate 1 (1996-1997); 26kg

1. Teshya Alo Hawaii, Tenri Judo

2. Autumn Bates Belleville,il, Usa stars granite ci

3. Jessica Oda Hawaii, Shobukan Judo

4. Kaylyn Fukuhara Torrance,California, Gardena Judo

5. Caroline Irons Yorkville,il, Yorkville

Girls Intermediate 1; 30kg

1. Summer Truong (Colorado / Jushinkan)

2. Willow Heller (Illinois / Cohen's Judo Club)

3. Taryn Butler (BAH)

3. Sarah Subko (Valrilo, Fla. / Florida School of Judo)

5. Gracious Phillips (GBR / Ballymoney, Great Britain / Causeway)

5. Maria Ali (Camp LeJeune, N.C. / Mayfield’s Martial Arts)

Girls Intermediate 1; 34kg

1. Nadine Fiege (Jacksonville, Fla. / Judo Ryu Jacksonville)

2. Kelly Germain (Florida / GE Judo)

3. Victoria Burt (Livermore, Calif. / Amador Judo)

4. Nicole Mulligan (West Warick, R.I. / Mayo Quanchi)

Girls Intermediate 1; 38kg

1. Ashleigh Castro-White (Miami, Fla. / Miami Judo AC)

2. Nefeli Papadakis (Gurnee, Ill. / Gurnee Judo Club)

Girls Intermediate 1; 43kg

1. Samann Pinder (BAH / Nassau, Bahamas / Eastwood)

Girls Intermediate 1; +43kg

1. Sonya Savici (Illinois / Tohkon Judo)

Boys Intermediate 1; 26kg 

1. Noah Pineda-Abaya (Honolulu, Hawaii / Hawaii Tenri)

2. Anthony Fajardo (Lincoln Park, N.J. / Camal Judo)

3. Marshall Graves (Edwardsville, Ill. / USA Stars)

3. Robert Pair (Idaho / McCall Judo)

5. Brian Abreu (Miami, Fla. / Champion Martial Arts)

5. Mark Mitchell (Miami, Fla. / Champion Martial Arts)

Boys Intermediate 1; 30kg 

1. Joshua Terao (Honolulu, Hawaii / Shobukan Judo)

2. Kevin Recaro Plaza (ECU)  

3. Carlos Rodriguez-Silva (PUR / San Juan, Puerto Rico / San Juan Judo)

3. Joshua Moon (Honolulu, Hawaii / Shobukan Judo Club)

5. Steven Brinegar (Clermont, Fla. / Central Florida Judo)

5. Jonathan Morales (Miami, Fla. / Shai Judo Ruiz)

Boys Intermediate 1; 34kg 

1. Chade Wong (Honolulu, Hawaii / Shobukan)

2. Chase Oishi (Torrance, Calif. / Gardena Judo Club)

3. Noah Shin (Charlotesville, Va. / Sal Shin Jo Judo)

3. Ryan McCall (Bartow, Fla. / GE Judo)

5. Nathaniel Standish (Johnston, La. / Gurnee Judo)

5. Ivan Faraldo (Miami, Fla. / Miami Judo Academy)

Boys Intermediate 1; 38kg 

1. Kulana Salera (Honolulu, Hawaii / Shobukan Judo)

2. Benjamin Zbinden (Illinois / Yorkville Judo)

3. William Okamura (Chicago, Ill. / Tohkon)

3. Alexis Prado (North Lauderdale, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai)

5. Shane Delfin (Valinda, Calif. / Mojica Judo Club)

5. Benjamin Putnam (Florida / GE Judo)

Boys Intermediate 1; 43kg 

1. Rafail Aushalumova (N.Y. / Japan Judo)

2. Joseph Kavanagh (GBR / Essex, Great Britain / Ford Judo)

3. Edward Okey (BAR / St. Michael, Barbados / Marine Gardens Judo)

3. Colson Egli (Berkeley Springs, W. Va. / College Park)

5. John McDowell (BAH / Nassau, Bahamas / Eastwood)

5. David Murillo (Coppell, Texas / Dallas Judo)

Boys Intermediate 1; 46kg 

1. Alex Mulligan (West Warick, R.I. / Mayo Quanchi)

2. Khaz Albury (BAH / Nassau, Bahamas / All Star Judo Club)

Boys Intermediate 1; +46kg 

1. Elijah Hines (Jackson, Miss. / Melton's Judo Club)

2. Bruno Reagan (Fort Campbell, Tenn. / Clarksville)

3. Cameron Lynch (BAH / Nassau, Bahamas / All Star Judo Club)

Girls Intermediate 2 (Born 1994-1995); 31kg

1. Micayla Maes (Wheatridge, Colo. / Northglenn Judo Club)

2. Melissa Clauss (Fla. / Central Florida Judo)

Girls Intermediate 2; 34kg

1. Sachiko Ragosta Virginia, Charlottesville Judo

2. Jordon Smith Colorado, Ju Shin Kan

3. Margaret Standish Johnston, Ia., Gurnee Judo

4. Onoh-basl Okey, Barbados, St. Michael, Marine Gardens Judo

5. Sarah Brady Florida, Falcon Judo Club

Girls Intermediate 2; 38kg

1. Katelyn Bouyssou (Hope, R.I. / Mayo Quanchi)

2. Katie Germain (Fla. / GE Judo)

3. Bree Rapoza (Honolulu, Hawaii / Hawaii Tenri Judo Club)

3. Amanda Gomez (Brockton, Mass. / Tohoko Judo Club)

5. Harley Mueller (Jacksonville, Fla. / Judo Ryu Jacksonville)

Girls Intermediate 2; 42kg

1. Ashley Beeson (Ind. / Anderson Judo)

2. Darya Cogswell (Denver, Colo. / Hyland Hills Judo)

3. Mia Kellman (Brooklyn, N.Y. / Kyshu)

3. Lauren Baez (Coral Gables, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai)

5. Daisy Belden (Chicago, Ill. / Tohkon Judo Academy)

5. Svetlana Peysakhova (N.Y. / Japan Judo)

Girls Intermediate 2; 48kg

1. Melinda Chow (Hawaii / Hawaii Tenri)

2. Sarah Lambert (Va. / Washington Judo Club)

3. Samantha Martin (Burleson, Texas / Ruben martin judo)

3. Syria Rhodes (Sacramento, Calif. / Team Sacramento)

5. Danielle Delfin (Valinda, Calif. / Mojica Judo Club)

5. Constance Egli (W.Va. / College Park Judo)

Girls Intermediate 2; 53kg

1. Carly Patton (Zephyrhills, Fla. / El Mambi Judo)

2. Alyssa Fraino (Livermore, Calif. / Amador Judo Club)

3. Eneida Redden-Gonzalez (Carlsville, Va. / Charlottesville Judo)

4. Melissa Myers (Yorkville, Ill. / Fox Valley)

5. Sonya Savici (Chicago, Ill. / Tohkon Judo)

Girls Intermediate 2; +53kg

1. Hannah Metzler (Manheim, Pa. / Mayo Quanchi)

2. Mariah Drescher (Norwich, Conn. / Tohoku Judo)

3. Persilla Bencomo (Miami, Fla. / Miami Judo Academy)

Boys Intermediate 2; 28kg 

1. Christopher Cos (Elbert, Colo. / Olympic Training Center Juniors)

2. Brandon Powell (Little Rock Ark. / Little Rock Judo)

3. Donald Moseman III (San Jose, Calif. / Cahill's Judo)

4. Jose Martinez (DOM / Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic / Judo Naco)

5. Zachary Carpenter (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Olympic Training Center Juniors)

Boys Intermediate 2; 31kg 

1. Ben Metzler (Manheim, Pa. / Mayo Quanchi)

2. Kyle Williams (North Lauderdale, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai)

3. Christian Perez (Pembroke Pines, Fla. / One Dragon)

3. Brendan Chang (Honolulu, Hawaii / Shobukan)

5. Cedric Leong (Fla. / El Mambi)

5. Victor Martinez (DOM / Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic / Judo Naco)

Boys Intermediate 2; 34kg 

1. Jacob Palimo'o (Honolulu, Hawaii / Shobukan)

2. Jeffrey Ruiz (PUR / Aguada, Puerto Rico / Aguada / Aguada Judo Club)

3. Jesse Wells (Denton, Texas / Ruben Martin Judo)

3. Serge Bouyssou (Hope, R.I. / Mayo Quanchi)

5. Erwin Rabier (BAH / Nassau, Bahamas / All Star)

5. Jordan Prado (North Lauderdale, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai)

Boys Intermediate 2; 38kg 

1. Chaeden Grace-Reyes (Hawaii / Hawaii Tenri)

2. Victor Saona (ECU)  

3. John Amis (Culver City, Calif. / Venice Judo Club)

3. Monterrio Hornes (Little Rock, Ark. / Little Rock Judo)

5. Moris Peysakhov (N.Y. / Japan Judo)

5. Carlos Vinals (DOM, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic / Judo Naco)

Boys Intermediate 2; 42kg 

1. Nahoakuwoo Salera (Hawaii / Shobukan Judo)

2. Matthew Kavanagh (GBR / Essex, Great Britain / Ford Judo)

3. Justis Olsen (Livermore, Calif. / Amador Judo Team)

3. George Truong (Colorado / Jushinkan)

5. Andrew Mitura (Coventry, R.I. / Mayo Quanchi)

5. Benjamin Branson (Ind. / Anderson YMCA)

Boys Intermediate 2; 48kg 

1. Giovanti Ortiz (Jonesboro, Ga. / Waka Mu Sha)

2. Michael Assels (Garland, Texas / Becerra Judo Club)

3. Timothy McCann (Staten Island, N.Y. / NY Dojo)

3. Spencer Rhodes (Sacramento, Calif. / Team Sacramento Judo)

5. Chandler George (Stuart, Fla. / West Palm Beach Judo)

5. Axel Wessell (Boulder, Colo. / Boulder Judo)

Boys Intermediate 2; 53kg 

1. John Tucker (Brooklyn, N.Y. / Starrett Judo Club)

2. Ricardo Menendez (Miami, Fla. / Falcon Judo Club)

3. Lance Asuka (Aiea, Hawaii / Shobukan)

4. Cody Eisenberg (Calif. / Santa Monica Judo)

5. Nathan Williams (BAH)  

Boys Intermediate 2; 58kg 

1. Connor Dantzler (Damascus, Md. / College Park Judo)

2. Luke Burrows (BAH / Nassau, Bahamas / Eastwood)

Boys Intermediate 2; +58Kg 

1. Dane Pestano (Waimanalo, Hawaii / Hawaii Tenri)

2. Dylan Seidle (Florida / Central Florida Judo)

3. Robert Tkach (N.Y. / Spartak Sports Club)

Female IJF Junior (Born 1987 or Later); 44kg

1. Sandra Chevalier (Hope, R.I. / Mayo Quanchi)

2. Taylor Ibera (Honolulu, Hawaii / Hawaii Tenri)

3. Veronica Prado (North Lauderdale, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)

4. Maddyson Post (Livermore, Calif. / Amador Judo Club)

5. Carys Newton (GBR)  

Female IJF Junior; 48kg

1. Jeanette Rodriquez (Margate, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)

2. Brenna Clark (Hercules, Calif. / Okubo / East Bay Judo Institute)

3. Corey-Jo Tashima (Hawaii / Shobukan Judo)

3. Chantal Beausaoleil (CAN / Saskatoon, Canada / Judo Saskatchewan)

5. Cassandra Bezoski (Amherst, Ohio / Chu To Bu / Renshuden)

5. Daimisy Porras (Hialeah, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)

Female IJF Junior; 52kg

1. Franchesca Durand (Coral Springs, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)

2. Cristina Ortega Sanchez (ECU)  

3. Tara Clark (Hercules, Calif. / Okubo / East Bay Judo Institute)

3. Nicki Schultheis (Gurnee,  Ill. / Gurnee Judo)

5. Nicole Tsukishima (CAN / Lethbridge, Canada / Judo Alberta)

5. Maira Viveros (COL / Cali, Colombia / Colombian Judo)

Female IJF Junior; 57kg

1. Estefania Garcia Mendoza (ECU)  

2. Hannah Martin (Albany, N.Y. / Jason Morris Judo Center)

3. Paola Genao-Butler (Houston, Texas / Champion)

3. Danielle Greenstein (Wellington, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai)

5. Angelica Delgado (Miami, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)

5. Amy Bienert (CAN / Ardrossan, Canada / Judo Alberta)

Female IJF Junior; 63kg

1. Ronda Rousey (Buffalo Grove, Ill. / NYAC / Cohen’s Judo Club)

2. Natalie Laursen (Livermore, Calif. / Amador Judo)

3. Paula Duarte (Baldwin, Calif. / Mojica Judo)

3. Cynthia Kelpin (CAN / Winnipeg, Canada / West Kildonan)

5. Heidy Arias,  Hialeah, Fla., Budokan Judo

5. Pauline Macias,  CA, Antelope Valley

Female IJF Junior; 70kg

1. Kayla Harrison (Middletown, Ohio / Renshuden)

2. Kathleen Sell (Oshkosh, Wis. / Welcome Mat Judo)

3. Catherine Bridges (Coventry, R.I. / Mayo Quanchi)

3. Malinda Bridges (Coventry, R.I. / Mayo Quanchi)

5. Cleo Grinberg (Tarrytown, N.Y. / Jason Morris Judo Center)

5. Alicia Stever (CAN / Saskatoon, Canada / Judo Saskatchewan)

Female IJF Junior; 78kg

1. Marina Lambert (Chesapeake, Va. / Washington Judo Club)

2. Marina Shafir (Latham, N.Y. / Jason Morris Judo Center)

3. Jane Lock (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Olympic Training Center USA Judo National Training Site)

4. Halee Shadden (Mineral Wells, Texas / Ruben Martin Judo)

Female IJF Junior; +78kg

1. Alyssa Caughy (CAN / Winnipeg, Canada / UniverJudo Manitoba)

2. Brittni Bradford (Land O’Lakes, Fla. / St. Pete Judo)

3. Leah Pfeffer (CAN / Winnipeg, Canada / West Kildonan)

Female IJF Junior; Open 

1. Kayla Harrison,  Ohio, Renshuden Judo

Male IJF Junior; 55kg  

1. Jorge Crespo (PUR / Aguada, Puerto Rico / Aguada Judo Club)

2. Chayne Chang (Hawaii / Hawaii Tenri)

3. Zachary Maes (Wheatridge, Colo. / Northglenn Judo Club)

3. Jose Navedo (Md. / College Park Judo)

5. Jarra Maratea (Calif. / Amador Judo Team)

5. Daniel Scillath (N.J. / Toms River Judo)

Male IJF Junior; 60kg  

1. Jeremy Liggett (Scotia, N.Y. / Jason Morris Judo Center)

2. Jose Romero Cano (ECU)  

3. Rafael Ramos (Coral Springs (Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)

3. Ronnie Talledo (PER / North Lauderdale, Fla. / North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)

5. Aaron Kunihiro (Covina, Calif. / San Gabriel Judo)

Male IJF Junior; 66kg  

1. George Ramos (Miami, Fla. / Miami Judo)

2. Ivan Lopouchanski (Hollywood, Fla. / Budokan)

3. Ross Nakamura (Mission Hills, Calif. / Valley Judo)

3. AJ Silverman (Scotia, N.Y. / Jason Morris Judo Center)

5. Miguel Ballesteros (North Lauderdale, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai)

5. Alfred Raymond (Providence, R.I. Mayo Quanchi)

Male IJF Junior; 73kg  

1. Bobby Lee (Lauderhill, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai)

2. Nick Delpopolo (Glenville, N.Y. / Jason Morris Judo Center)

3. Danny Satinsky (Buffalo, Ill. / Cohen's Judo)

3. Corey Parquette (CAN / Greenville, Shidokan)

5. Michael Demarrias (Denver, Colo. / Northglenn Judo Club)

5. Antonio Rodriguez (Hialeah, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai)

Male IJF Junior; 81kg  

1. Yuko Sin (Scotia, N.Y. / Jason Morris Judo Center)

2. Phillip Spano (Tampa, Fla. / El Mambi)

3. Carlos Moran (Clifton, N.J. / Camal Judo)

3. Wesley Thomas (San Mateo, Calif. / Palo Alto Judo)

5. Ernest Valdez (Calif. / Mojica Judo)

5. Justin Young (CAN / Kawasaki Rendokan)

Male IJF Junior; 90kg  

1. Jacob Larsen (Santa Rosa, Calif. / Redwood Coast Judo Club)

2. Michael Leger (CAN / WPB / West K)

3. Jose Vaca Cardenas (ECU)  

3. Kyle Vashkulat (Scotia, N.Y. / Jason Morris Judo Center)

5. Brian Liss (Buffalo, Ill. / Cohen’s)

5. Jaime Casanova (DOM / Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic / Judo Naco)

Male IJF Junior; 100kg 

1. Paul Gomez (Garland, Texas / Becerra Judo)

2. Giorgio Gazzani (Panorama City, Calif. / Valley Judo)

3. Zane Malloy (Oak Harbor, Wash. / N.A.S. Whidbey Island)

3. Mike Kannianen (North Glenn, Colo. / Northglenn Judo)

5. Daniel Yuabov (N.Y. / Spartak)

5. Alex Gonnov (Aurora, Colo. / Olympic Training Center)

Male IJF Junior; +100kg

1. Aaron Shiosaki (Lomita, Calif. / Gardena)

2. Jorge Sierra (PUR / Bayamon, Puerto Rico / Miguel J Frau Bayamo)

3. Patrick Bokor (Clermont, Fla. / Central Florida Judo Club)

3. Kari Kauppinen (FIN / Helsinki, Finland / Finn-Fight Club)

5. Mitchell Yokogawa (Los Angeles, Calif. / San Gabriel Judo)

5. Zachary Bell (Naperville, Ill. / Fox Valley Judo)

Male IJF Junior; Open   

1. Patrick Bokor (Clermont, Fla. / Central Florida)

2. Anthony Phelps (Kettering, Ohio / Renshuden Judo)

3. Sidhartha Raj (Stockton, Calif. / Stockton Judo)

Results by Country

      Point System:

Place won | Point Value

    1         5

    2         3

    3         1

   Country name                  |Total|# 1 |# 2 |# 3 |

  1. United States of America     643   72   60  103

  2. Canada                        28    2    4    6

  3. Puerto Rico                   27    3    3    3

  4. Ecuador                       23    2    4    1

  5. Dominican Republic            18    2    2    2

  6. Great Britain                 17    1    3    3

  7. Bahamas                       14    1    2    3

  8. Mexico                         8    1    1    0

  9. Ukraine                        5    1    0    0

9. Colombia                       5    1    0    0

 10. Finland                        4    0    1    1

 11. Brazil                         3    0    1    0

 11. Israel                         3    0    1    0

 12. Argentina                      1    0    0    1

12. Netherlands Antilles           1    0    0    1

 12. Barbados                       1    0    0    1

 12. Peru                           1    0    0    1

Junior U.S. Open Day 1 Results

(Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) – The Junior U.S. Open, an international event featuring countries as diverse as Ukraine, Colombia, Brazil and Finland, began July 29 at the  Broward County Convention Center with competition in age groups for athletes between 13 and 16-years-old.

Competition will continue July 30 in divisions for 17-19-year-olds and 8-12-year-olds.

Complete results are as follows:

Female Juvenile B (Born 1990-1991); 44kg

1. Diane Cobos Morales (ECU) 

2. Andrea Madgett (CAN/Ontario, Canada/Upper Canada Judo)

3. Veronica Prado (Coral Springs, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)

3. Taylor Ibera (Hawaii/Hawaii Tenri)

Female Juvenile B; 48kg

1. Daimisy Porras (Hialeah, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)

2. Meg Maceau (Colorado Springs, Colo./Olympic Training Center USA Judo National Training Site)

3. Meryl-Lyn Semograd (CAN/Calgary, Canada/Judo Alberta)

Female Juvenile B; 52kg

1. Yasareth Deferraro (PUR/Aguada, Puerto Rico/Aguada Judo Club)

2. Madeline Crowell (Ill./Tohkon Judo)

3. Mirielle Graves (IIl./USA Stars)

Female Juvenile B; 57kg

1. Danielle Greenstein (Wellington,Fla./Ki-Itsu-Sai)

2. Tani Ader (Hawaii/Hawaii Tenri)

3. Ronni Aragona (New York/Jason Morris Judo Center)

Female Juvenile B; 63kg

1. Larissa Lindstrom (Livermore, Calif./Amador Judo)

2. Natalia Mitura (Coventry, R.I./Mayo Quanchi)

3. Kelly Alexander (GBR, London, Great Britain/Moberly Judo Club)

3. Jillian Roman (Snellville, Ga./Waka Mu Sha)

Female Juvenile B; 70kg

1. Kayla Harrison (Middletown, Ohio/Renshuden Judo)

2. Malinda Bridges (Coventry, R.I./Mayo Quanchi)

3. Catherine Bridges (Coventry, R.I./Mayo Quanchi)

Female Juvenile B; +70kg

1. Kate Patton (Zephyrhills, Fla./El Mambi Judo)

2. Halee Shadden (Mineral Wells, Texas/Ruben Martin Judo)

3. Natalie Bridges (Coventry, R.I./Mayo Quanchi)

Female Juvenile A; 40kg

1. Katelyn Bouyssou (Hope, R.I./Mayo Quanchi)

2. Madison Hatch (Lebanon, Conn./Mayo Quanchi)

3. Erika Clark (Bexas/Becerra Judo)

Female Juvenile A; 44kg

1. Jessica Irons (Yorkville, Ill./Yorkville)

2. Kayla Chappell (Oklahoma City, Okla./USA Stars)

3. Carys Newton (GBR/Greetham, Great Britain/Vale Judo Club)

3. Maddyson Post (Livermore, Calif./Amador)

Female Juvenile A; 48kg

1. Gabriella Denu (Md./College Park Judo Club)

2. Yesedia Crespo (Dover, Fla./El Mambi)

3. Carina Caminero (Fla./El Mambi Judo)

Female Juvenile A; 53kg

1. Chrissy Chow (Hawaii/Hawaii Tenri)

2. Carla Grenao Butler (Houston, Texas/Champion)

3. Kayla Martin (Evansville, Ind./Renshuden)

3. Gretchen Hernandez, Puerto Rico, San Juan, San Juan

Female Juvenile A; 58kg

1. Nicole Jenicek (CAN, Ontario, Canada/Tora Judo)

2. Lydia Au (Chicago, Ill./Tohkon)

3. Karina Bach (Largo, Fla./El Mambi Judo club)

3. Dominique Ellis (GBR/London, Great Britain/Moberly)

Female Juvenile A; 64kg

1. Shaniqua Brown (Atlanta, Ga./Waka Mu Sha)

2. Kadee Shadden (Mineral Wells, Texas/Ruben Martin Judo)

3. Corrie Egli (West Virginia, Va./College Park Judo)

Female Juvenile A; 77kg

1. Ella Carter-Allen (GBR/London, Great Britain/Moberly Judo Club)

2. Alexandra Cogswell (Colo./Hyland Hills Judo)

3. Nohely Goeloe (Netherlands Antilles)

Female Juvenile A; +77kg

1. Marina Lambert (Va./Washington Judo Club)

2. Laquinta Allen (Fla./Onikusu Judo)

3. Jessica Thompson (Bahamas/Nassau/Eastwood)

Male Juvenile B; 51kg  

1. Anthony Aguilar (Ontario, Calif./Guereros)

2. Karri Myllyla (FIN/Helsinki, Finland/Finn-Fight Club)

3. Aaron Fukuhara (Torrance, Calif./Gardena Judo)

3. Jose Rodriguez Martinez (DOM/Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Judo Naco)

Male Juvenile B; 55kg  

1. Antonio Ferres (DOM/Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Judo Naco)

2. Jose Cos (Elbert, Colo./Olympic Training Center Juniors)

3. Daryl Jackson (Colorado/Timberline)

3. Greg Sakata (Calif./Gardena)

Male Juvenile B; 60kg  

1. Miguel Ballesteros (Miami,Fla./Ki-Itsu-Sai)

2. Mathew Shimamoto (Whittier, Calif./San Gabriel Judo Club)

3. Aman Tavarez (Providence, R.I./Mayo Quanchi)

3. Nicolas O'Connell (Cranston, R.I./Mayo Quanchi Judo)

Male Juvenile B; 66kg  

1. Alfred Raymond (Providence, R.I./Mayo Quanchi)

2. Mathew Koniuszewski (CAN/Oshawa, Canada/Ajax Budokan)

3. Robert Dillow (Md./College Park_

3. Zachary Godbold (Texas/Diamondback Judo)

Juvenile B; 73kg  

1. Emin Sheykhislyamov (UKR/Simferopol/Spartak Sports Club)

2. Jean Carlos Francisco (DOM/Santo Domingo, Judo Naco)

3. Shane Dauphine (CAN/Bon Accord, Canada/Judo Alberta)

3. Antonio Rodriguez (Miami, Fla./Ki-Itsu-Sai)

Male Juvenile B; 81kg  

1. Ivan Omar Rivera Rodriguez (MEX/Yucatan, Mexico/Mexico Judo)

2. David Jutras (CAN/Montreal, Canada/Metropolitain Judo)

3. Daniel Palatnik (Rego Park, N.Y./Spartak Judo)

3. Kevin Porter (Fort Worth, Texas/Fort Worth Judo Club)

Male Juvenile B; 90kg  

1. Sidhartha Raj (Stockton, Calif./Stockton, Calif.)

2. Colin Robinson (College Park, Ga./Waka Mu Sha)

3. Nathaniel Stampley (North Lauderdale, Fla./Ki-Itsu-Sai)

3. Caleb Egli (W. Va./College Park)

Male Juvenile B; +90kg 

1. Hector Escamilla (Palm Beach, Fla./WPB Judo)

2. Juan Luis Bacelis Rivero (MEX/Yucatan, Mexico/Mexico Judo)

3. Scott Yokogawa (Los Angeles, Calif./San Gabriel Judo)

Male Juvenile A; 36kg  

1. Everet Desilets (Providence, R.I./Mayo Quanchi)

2. David Terao (Hawaii/Shobukan Judo)

3. Jacob Hurt (Ill./Yorkville Judo)

3. Esteban Gomez-Rivera (Miami, Fla./ Miami Judo)

Male Juvenile A; 40kg  

1. Ricondo Cole (Providence, R.I./Mayo Quanchi)

2. Lucas Gama (BRA/North Lauderdale, Fla./Ki-Itsu-Sai)

3. Joshua Prado (Coral Springs, Fla./Ki-Itsu-Sai)

3. Max Benjamin (N.Y./Queens Judo)

Male Juvenile A; 44kg  

1. Santiago Martinez (COL/Coral Springs, Fla./Ki-Itsu-Sai)

2. Adam Conroy (GBR/Poole, Great Britain/Moberly Judo Club)

3. Eric Fajardo (Lincoln Park, N.J./Camal Judo)

3. Hanif Shabazz (Atlanta, Ga./Waka Mu Sha)

Male Juvenile A; 48kg  

1. Robby Schultheis (IIl./Gurnee Judo)      

2. Anthony Kwon (Kaneohe, Hawaii/Hodokan Judo)

3. Joshua Villani (Bellevue, Wash./Ippon Judo Club)

3. Keith Beauvais (Thornton, Colo./Northglenn)

Male Juvenile A; 53kg  

1. Miguel Aracena (DOM/Santo Domingo/Judo Naco)

2. Kyle Taketa (Torrance, Calif./Gardena)

3. David Peysakhov (N.Y./Japan Judo)

3. Jordi Menicucci (Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, Judo Naco

Male Juvenile A; 58kg  

1. Preston Quam (Oceanside, Calif./San Shi)

2. Luis Hernandez (DOM/Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Judo Naco)

3. Yan Kafarsky (N.Y./Spartak Sports Club)

3. Reginald Smith (Brentwood, Calif./Amador Judo Team)

Male Juvenile A; 64kg  

1. Dariel Porras (Hialeah, Fla./Ki-Itsu-Sai)

2. David Fung (St. Albans, N.Y./Camal Judo)

3. Max Wessell (Boulder, Colo./Boulder Judo)

3. Rolando Ruiz (Hialeah, Fla./Budokan Judo)

Male Juvenile A; 73kg  

1. Kadiem Wheatle

2. Joshua Gordon (Wis./Wahadachi)

3. Zach Burkhardt (Indiana/Anderson YMCA)

Male Juvenile A; +73kg 

1. Kevin Duarte (Baldwin, Calif./Mojica Judo)

2. Matthias Montez (Calif./After School All-Stars)

3. Christopher Roman (Snellville, Ga./Waka Mu Sha)

Results by Country

      Point System:

Place won | Point Value

    1         5

    2         3

    3         1

   Country name                  |Total|# 1 |# 2 |# 3 |

  1. United States of America     225   23   23   41

  2. Dominican Republic            18    2    2    2

  3. Canada                        16    1    3    2

  4. Great Britain                 11    1    1    3

  5. Mexico                         8    1    1    0

  6. Puerto Rico                    6    1    0    1

  7. Colombia                       5    1    0    0

  7. Ecuador                        5    1    0    0

  7. Ukraine                        5    1    0    0

  8. Finland                        3    0    1    0

  8. Brazil                         3    0    1    0

  9. Bahamas                        1    0    0    1

  9. Netherlands Antilles           1    0    0    1

2006 Junior World Team Named After Trials in Fort Lauderdale

(Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) – Fourteen athletes were named to the Junior World Championship Team at the conclusion of the first-ever USA Judo Junior World Trials on July 29 at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.  These athletes will compete at the Junior World Championships, Oct. 15-19 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Complete team roster is as follows:

Men

60kg:     Jeremy Liggett (Scotia, N.Y./NYAC/Jason Morris Judo Center)

66kg:     AJ Silverman (Scotia, N.Y./Jason Morris Judo Center)

73kg:     Nick Delpopolo (Glenville, N.Y./Jason Morris Judo Center)

81kg:     Yuko Sin (Scotia, N.Y./Jason Morris Judo Center)

90kg:     Jacob Larsen (Santa Rosa, Calif./Redwood Coast Judo Club)

100kg:   Zane Malloy (Oak Harbor, Wash./NAS Whidbey Island Judo)

+100kg: Aaron Shiosaki (Lomita, Calif./Gardena Judo)

Women

48kg:     Jeanette Rodriguez (Margate, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)

52kg:     Franchesca Durand (Coral Springs, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)

57kg:     Hannah Martin (Albany, N.Y./Jason Morris Judo Center)

63kg:     Ronda Rousey (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Cohen’s Judo)

70kg:     Kayla Harrison (Middletown, Ohio/Renshuden)

78kg:     Marina Shafir (Latham, N.Y./Jason Morris Judo Center)

+78kg:   Brittni Bradford (Land O’Lakes, Fla./St. Pete Judo)

Athletes were invited to the Junior World Trials based upon their status on the IJF-Junior (athletes born 1987 or later) rosters.  Athletes are ranked throughout the year and receive points for placings in domestic and international events. 

At the Trials, the #1 and #4 seeds competed, followed by the #2 and #3 seeds.  The winners of these matches then fought.  If the #1 seed won, he or she was named to the team.  If the #1 seed was not the winner of the Trials, he or she fought the Trials winner in a sudden-death contest.  The winner of that match was then named to the team.

“This was one of our most exciting events of the year so far,” said USA Judo Director of Athlete Performance Eddie Liddie (Colorado Springs, Colo.  “These athletes had a chance to experience a Trials situation that is similar to what they would face to qualify for an Olympic or World Championship Team and so they got to see what that pressure is like and it should prepare them well down the road.”

The Trials featured 49 participants from clubs throughout the country with athletes ranging in age from 14-19-years-old.  Competitors included Olympic, World, Pan American and Junior Pan American Team members as well as athletes who used this event to qualify for their first international team. 

“All of the athletes here were excellent competitors,” said Jim Hrbek (San Antonio, Texas), Chair of Junior Development.  “This has been one of the most talked about events in a long time and these athletes all did a great job, through both their own hard work as well as the effort of all of the clubs, parents and coaches who helped get them to this level.   Our junior program is showing a great deal of depth across the divisions and these athletes will represent the United States well in Santo Domingo.”

Jeremy Liggett (Scotia, N.Y./NYAC/Jason Morris Judo Center) may not have won his slot on the team with his trademark “pretty judo,” but the top seed at 60kg only needed two wins to get the job done, defeating Aaron Kunihiro (Covina, Calif./San Gabriel Judo) and Rafael Ramos (Union City, N.J./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site) by shidos (penalties) in the first and second round, respectively.

Meanwhile, Liggett’s JMJC teammates AJ Silverman (Scotia, N.Y./66kg) and Nick Delpopolo (Glenville, N.Y./73kg) both found themselves in controversial match-ups.

Top-ranked Silverman likely had the toughest first round of the day, facing Francisco Alejandro (North Lauderdale, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site).  As of Saturday, Silverman had yet to beat the former #1 in any of their match-ups, but Alejandro had moved to the Dominican Republic to go to college for the year and his ranking fell to fourth for what otherwise would likely have been a final round fight.

With both athletes drawing penalties, Silverman looked to close out the match with a choke, but Alejandro escaped and the fight went into Golden Score (overtime).

Knowing that neither could afford another stalling penalty, the two athletes began attacking quickly into the Golden Score session and Alejandro sent Silverman soaring with a beautiful o uchi gari (major inner reaping throw) for what looked like an ippon.

“My heart just sank,” Silverman said of his thoughts when he hit the ground. “But then they called ‘matte (stop)’ and I knew I still had a chance.”

He quickly capitalized as the throw was called out of bounds, pinning Alejandro within the minute for the win.

Looking to avoid seeing himself in that situation again, Silverman quickly avenged his loss at the High School Nationals in March to Ross Nakamura (Mission Hills, Calif./Valley View Judo Institute), pinning Nakamura in the opening 30 seconds of the match.

Meanwhile, on the next mat, Delpopolo was having surprising problems at 73kg with his first opponent #3 Danny Satinsky (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Cohen’s Judo Club).

Neither athlete could manage to score and the match went into Golden Score with Delpopolo winning on a penalty – not quite what was expected, but good enough to carry him into the final round against Bobby Lee (Lauderhill, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site). 

“I just couldn’t get my focus in the first one and knew I had to get it together with Bobby,” Delpopolo said.

Lee and Delpopolo were likely the biggest rivalry of the day as Lee came in as both the #1 seed who had been undefeated in U.S. junior competition in 2005 and a slight underdog as he had lost his only two matches against Delpopolo including a final round at last week’s U.S. Judo Federation Junior Nationals, held at this same venue.

Lee began the match as the clear aggressor, coming out strong with quick attacks.  Delpopolo earned the first points though, countering one of Lee’s throws for uchimata (inner thigh throw) to earn a koka (smallest points). 

From there the match came down to the all-important question of “who could score the least amount of penalties.”

Both athletes picked up a penalty mid-match, but Delpopolo scored again with a throw for yuko (quarter-point).  The New Yorker was handed another penalty for stalling late in the match, but still pulled out the overall win.

Fifteen minutes later the two reconvened for a second match and both picked up early shidos with each penalty earned by one meaning a score for his opponent. 

Delpopolo then threw Lee for a yuko for the first active score of the match. 

“Because he’s so much taller, it’s really hard for either of us to have big throws, so the goal for both of us was to make the other one look as bad as possible,” Delpopolo said.

As the match neared an end, Lee succeeded in that goal, picking up the pacing and forcing Delpopolo into another penalty, but Lee still needed another score to either tie or win the fight.

With four seconds on the clock, Delpopolo dodged Lee’s last attack and when the buzzer went off, the Pro-Lee hometown crowd roared “Shido! Shido!” calling for a penalty on Lee that would send the match into Golden Score.

Never during the day was the convention center hall as completely silent as when the referee stood in the match for seemingly an eternity before telling Delpopolo to fix his belt.  Another 10 seconds as he did so before the match was called in Delpopolo’s favor and the 17-year-old walked off the mat, too tired to even crack a smile.

“This was really the biggest day of my entire life and I was just so relieved to be done with it all,” he said.

This is the first Junior World Team for Delpopolo who just returned to the sport in September following the reconstruction of a knee blown out by wrestling.

“I did judo in junior high at Jason’s club, but when I got to high school we moved to Westfield, N.J. so I could go to a Catholic school with a really good wrestling program,” he said.

At the end of his sophomore season, though, Delpopolo had not only destroyed his knee with a torn ACL, LCL and meniscus, but he found he no longer enjoyed the sport and opted to leave his family and move back to Scotia to train with Morris in the sport he loved.

The move clearly paid off as Delpopolo will be one of the top athletes to watch in Santo Domingo.

At 81kg, Yuko Sin (Scotia, N.Y./Jason Morris Judo Center) had a significantly easier road to his Junior World Team berth, throwing Wesley Thomas (San Mateo, Calif./Palo Alto Judo) for ippon in the first minute and pinning Carlos Moran (Clifton, N.J./Camal Judo) in the second round for the overall win.

Jacob Larsen (Santa Rosa, Calif./Redwood Coast Judo) came into Trials as a #2 seed with only a point separating him from top-ranked Kyle Vashkulat (Scotia, N.Y./Jason Morris Judo Center) who he had beaten at the USJF event last week.

Larsen, who won each of the three junior national championships this season, beat High School Champion Steve Fayzakov (Fresh Meadows, N.Y./Spartak Sports Club) in the first round.  In the second, he threw Vashkulat with a quick drop seoi nage (shoulder throw) to force a fight-off.

In their second match, Larsen prevailed again, launching Vashkulat with a huge o goshi (hip throw) for the win.

In the 100kg division, Tony Sangimino (Burligame, Calif./Cahill’s Judo Academy) seemed to have his division locked up, throwing Mike Kannianen (Denver, Colo./Northglenn, Colo.) for ippon in the first minute – an important win as Kannianen had beaten Sangimino twice in his own backyard at the USA Judo Junior Olympics (July 8-9 in San Jose, Calif.)

In the second round Sangimino was ahead in his match against Zane Malloy (Oak Harbor, Wash./NAS Whidbey Island Judo), but got thrown for ippon.  In the play-off match Malloy would throw Sangimino again to earn his first World Team nomination. 

In the heavyweight division, top-ranked Zachary Bell (Naperville, Ill./Fox Valley Judo & Jujitsu) went 0-2 after a first round bye, getting thrown twice for ippon (instant win) by Aaron Shiosaki (Lomita, Calif./Gardena) who would win his first World Team slot. 

On the women’s side, top-ranked Jeanette Rodriguez (Margate, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site) won both of her matches by ippon, throwing her North Miami teammate Daimisy Porras (Hialeah, Fla.) with an o soto gari (major outer reaping).  In her next match, Rodriguez threw #2-ranked Brenna Clark (Hercules, Calif./Okubu/APOA Judo Club) with a fireman’s carry to qualify for her first Junior World Team.

At 52kg, picked up a win in her first round against Tara Clark (Hercules, Calif./Okubu/APOA Judo Club) who dropped from her current division of 57kg this week to fight at the Trials.

In the second round, Durand fought #2 Nicki Schultheis (Gurnee, Ill./Gurnee Judo).  The two are frequent final round competitors, but Schultheis, a silver medalist at the Pan Am Juniors in April, hadn’t posted a win in the rivalry since last year’s High School Nationals. 

This time looked different, though, as Schultheis looked to be in peak form.  Whereas many of their matches are known to end in early minutes, Schultheis looked determined and answered Durand’s first throw (an uchimata for a yuko score) with a throw for yuko of her own tying the match. 

The two appeared even-matched, but Durand caught Schultheis with two mistakes that resulted in a pair of waza-aris (half-point each) that closed the match and gave Durand her first World Team slot.

The 57kg division was expected to be the biggest battleground on the women’s side and lived up to the hype.

In the first round, third-ranked Hana Carmichael (Wellington, Calif./Budokan Judo) beat former #1 Angelica Delgado (Miami, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site).  Delgado held the top seed until last week when a loss to Carmichael caused Delgado to finish third at the USJF Junior Nationals.

Top-ranked Hannah Martin (Albany, N.Y./Jason Morris Judo Center) drew an unexpected opponent in Gabriella Baez (North Lauderdale, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site).  Baez, ranked fifth in the division, moved into the fourth seed on the heels of a late withdrawal by Pauline Macias (Lancaster, Calif./Antelope Valley Judo).  Martin ended the fast-paced, highly physical match with a pin for ippon.

In the final, Martin attempted to throw Carmichael with an o uchi gari, but Carmichael countered the move, throwing Martin for the yuko score that would determine the match. 

Carmichael’s win forced a fight-off in which Martin came out attacking and soon pinned her for the win.

“I think in the first match with Hana the nerves got to me a little bit because this has been my goal for the whole summer,” Martin said. “It feels really good to make the team.  We’re going to work on learning a lot more techniques and I think by fall my judo will be a lot different than it is now. 

While everyone else at Trials was looking to compete at their first Junior Worlds, 19-year-old Athens Olympian Ronda Rousey (Buffalo Grove, Ill./NYAC/Cohen’s Judo) used this as an opportunity to complete the first step on her quest for a second Junior World Championship title.

In doing so, Rousey likely had the quickest matches of the day, throwing Yanik Labrada (Miami, Fla./Miami Judo Club) and Natalie Laursen (Livermore, Calif./Amador Judo) each for ippon in the first and second rounds, respectively.

Kayla Harrison (Middletown, Ohio/Renshuden) was listed as the #2 seed at 70kg, but after defeating top-ranked Katie Sell (Oshkosh, Wis./Welcome Mat Judo) six times in just over four months, she was viewed by many as the favorite to win the slot enough though she would need to win the first two rounds and a play-off to do so. 

In the first round Harrison beat #3 Catherine Bridges by the full gamut of points, throwing her for a waza-ari, then picking up two yukos and a koka before throwing her for a second waza-ari to win the match.

Sell, on the other hand, had a first-round bye before her final round match with Harrison.  Like the previous matches, Harrison dominated this one, throwing sell first for a yuko and then with an o goshi (hip throw) for ippon.

In the fight-off match, Harrison again accrued a wealth of points, first scoring two yukos and a koka before throwing Sell for waza-ari with a drop seoi nage (shoulder throw) for a first waza-ari and then a earning a second waza-ari with a leg pick to win the match.

“I was really nervous, but not about losing as much as I was about screwing up and getting injured,” Harrison said.

And while injuries are of concern for many athletes, they are particularly so for Harrison who won a Junior World Team spot in 2004 as a 13-year-old in the 52kg division, but had to give it up after hurting her hand in practice.

Two years and three weight divisions later, Harrison is looking forward to finally competing at a Junior Worlds.

“I’m sure I’ll be nervous, but if I train as hard as I can and have a good day I’ll be ok because I’d definitely not going just to go,” she said.

Marina Shafir (Latham, N.Y./Jason Morris Judo Center) qualified for the Junior World Team in near record time, needing only one match to overpower #3-ranked Halee Shadden (Mineral Wells, Texas/Ruben Martin Judo), throwing her with an o goshi for ippon, to earn her spot.

Brittni Bradford (Land O’Lakes, Fla./St. Pete Judo) also was named to the team in the +78kg in an uncontested division.

Junior Point Tournament in Mexico

The "Prof. Daniel F. Hernandez" Tournament, a Junior Point Tournament in the Tournament Not Listed Category, will be held August 24-27 in Oaxtepec, Mexico, approximately 90 minutes outside of Mexico City.

Divisions will be contested for athletes born 1997 or earlier; however only the Intermediate 2, Juvenile A and Juvenile B divisions are pointable on the junior elite rosters for U.S. athletes. 

Athletes must notify Mary Ann Relich, maryann.relich@usajudo.us by Aug. 14 in order to compete.

ANNOUNCEMENT:  AN INVITATION TO ALL JUDO FEDERATIONS BY THE MEXICAN JUDO FEDERATION TO ATTEND THE: TOURNAMENT "PROF. DANIEL F. HERNÁNDEZ"

TOURNAMENT DATES:  AUGUST 24-27, 2006

LOCATION:  POLIFORUM CLUB DORADOS

HOTEL:  CLUB DORADOS OAXTEPEC

KM. 2.5 CARRETERA COCOYOC-OAXTEPEC, OAXTEPEC, MOR.

GENDERS AND AGES:  The tournament will be for both genders: males and females.  The competitor’s ages will depend in their date of birth.

DIVISIONS AND CATEGORIES:

PRE-INFANT

9 to 10 years (1997-1996)

Male Divisions:  22, 25, 28, 31, 35 and +35 kilos

Females:  21, 24, 27, 30, 33 and +33 kilos

INFANT "A" *** Pointable as Intermediate B

11 to 12 years (1995-1994)

Male Divisions:  28, 31, 34, 38, 42, 48, 53 and +53 kilos

Females:  28, 31, 34, 38, 42, 48, 53 and +53 kilos

INFANT “B” *** Pointable as Juvenile A

13 to 14 years (1993 and 1992)

Male Divisions:  36, 40, 44, 48, 53, 58, 64 and + 64 kilos

Females:  36, 40, 44, 48, 53, 58, 64 and + 64 kilos

JUVENIL *** Pointable as Juvenile B

15 to 16 years  (1991 and 1990)

Male Divisions:  51, 55, 60, 66, 73, 81, 90 and +90 kilos

Females:  40, 44, 48, 52, 57, 63, 70 and +70 kilos

JUNIOR

17, 18 and 19 years  (1989, 1988 and 1987)

Male Divisions:  55, 60, 66, 73, 81, 90, 100 and +100 kilos

Female Divisions:  44, 48, 52, 57, 63, 70, 78 and +78 kilos

JUNIORS

16 year and up(1986, 85…)

Male Divisions:  55, 60, 66, 73, 81, 90, 100 y +100 kilos. Open

Females:  44, 48, 52, 57, 63, 70, 78 y +78 kilos. Open

KATAS

Males and Females:   NAGE NO KATA, KATAME NO KATA and JU NO KATA

Competition Systems:

A) ROUND ROBIN:  Up to (5) competitors.

B) Standard double elimination  (6) Competitors and more.

Match lengths :

Category  PRE-INFANT:  Both genders   (2) Minutes

Categories infants  Both genders:  (3) Minutes

Category JUVENIL  Both genders  (4) Minutes

Category  Seniors Both genders  (5) Minutes

Awards:

Medals to 1o, 2o. Y 3o. INDIVIDUAL place of each division.

Rules:

The tournament will be following the rules of the Mexican judo federation, A. C. and the international judo federation.

Referees:

The referees, judges and staff responsible of the tournament, will be assigned by the referee’s directions of the F.M.J. 

Draw

To be happening after weigh

Uniforms:

It will be the responsibility that each competitor needs to take a judo gi of the color white and one of a color blue as is written in the rules of international judo federation.

Competition and weigh:

Categories pre-INFANT, INFANT “A” and INFANT “B”, both genders

•    Thursday August 24 of 2006

-  Non OFICIAL weigh from 17:00 to 18:00 HRS.

 - OFICIAL weigh from 18:00 to 19:00 HRS.

•    Friday August 25 of 2006 

-  Non OFICIAL weigh from 06:00 to 07:00 HRS.

 - OFICIAL weigh from 07:00 to 08:00 HRS

 - COMPETITION FROM 10:00 HRS.

 JUVENIL AND JUNIOR CATEGORIES, BOTH GENDERS

•    FRIDAY AUGUST 25 OF 2006

 -   NON OFICIAL WEIGH FROM 17:00 TO 18:00 HRS.

 -  OFICIAL WEIGH FROM 18:00 TO 19:00 HRS.

•    SATURDAY AUGUST 26 OF 2006

 -  NON OFICIAL WEIGH FROM 06:00 TO 07:00 HRS.

 -  OFICIAL WEIGH FROM 07:00 TO 08:00 HRS.

 - COMPETITION FROM 10:00 HRS.

KATAS

•    SATURDAY AUGUST 26 OF 2006

   FROM 07:30 TO 09:30 HRS.

SENIORS CATEGORIES, BOTH GENDERS

•    SATURDAY August 26 OF 2006

- NON OFICIAL WEIGH FROM 17:00 TO 18:00 HRS.

 -  OFICIAL WEIGH FROM 18:00 TO 19:00 HRS

•    SUNDAY AUGUST 27 OF 2006

- NON OFICIAL WEIGH FROM 06:00 TO 07:00 HRS.

 - OFICIAL WEIGH FROM 07:00 TO 08:00 HRS.

 - COMPETITION FROM 10:00 HRS.

NOTE : All the competitors with no exception will need to have their weigh in the amount as their were subscribe to the tournament, and be allowed to participate in the division and category that it corresponds to their ages and weigh.

Registration fee:

The amount of the registration for the tournament will be 200 Pesos (approximately $19 U.S.) for each competitor and It would be all cover at the moment of the registration.

Hotels and restaurants:

The COST of hotels and food services it will be responsibility each participant or association.

Referees Clinics:

•    august 24 of 2006

•    17:00 HRS.

•    In the place assigned by the organizing committee.

Coaches Clinics:

•    august 24 of 2006

•    19:00 HRS.

•    In the place assigned by the organizing committee.

Medical service:

The organizing committee will give emergency medical service for all competitors registered officially to the tournament.

If any competitor requires medical attention in case of an injury or disease and needs to be hospitalized, treatments, medicines etc. their fees will need to be cover by the representative association.

Any team or competitor exempt by written the organizing committee and Mexican judo federation A.C., of any responsibility In case on an Injury or disease during the tournament.

Transistorizes:

Everything provided in the present with tournament, It will be study and resolved by the Mexican judo federation, A.C. with the organizing committee.

USA Judo Develops Cultural Exchange Program

USA Judo is pleased to announce the inception of the new Junior Cultural Exchange Program.  Tailored to be a total family judo experience, junior athletes will have the opportunity to travel to foreign countries where they not only will be able to train with top young players in that nation, but also to experience social and cultural aspects of the country in which they are training.

The program kicks off with trips this December to Costa Rica and Argentina.  Training in Argentina will take place at the Argentina National Training Center in Buenos Aires while Costa Rican participants will work out at the National Sports Institute.

While athletes train, parents and siblings will be encouraged to be a part of the trips, providing them with an opportunity to sightsee and take in the culture of the country while their daughter or son trains and spends a full day experiencing international judo.  U.S. parents also will get to meet and share an outing with local judo parents.

Each trip will conclude with a competition between the U.S. juniors and the athletes in the host country.

Additional locations will be announced for Spring Break and summer vacation in 2007.

"The USA Judo Junior Cultural Exchange program aims to expose our junior athletes to international training and low-key competitions beginning with neighboring countries in the Pan American Judo Union,” said USA Judo CEO Jose H. Rodriguez (Colorado Springs, Colo). “It is our hope that by exposing the athletes at first to those junior athletes within the Union, we will begin to win in this hemisphere as with the ultimate goal of progressing to win at the World level.”

The program will be led by Jim Hrbek (San Antonio, Texas), USA Judo Junior Development Chair.

“We could not have found a better person to lead this program than Jim Hrbek,” Rodriguez said. “He has led our junior program now for many years and I know that his international coaching experience will enhance the success this program will have. I hope club coaches throughout the United States will get behind this program and get a group from their dojo to sign up and join in these cultural exchange trips!"

For more information, contact Hrbek at JrJudoTrip@aol.com.

SERVING OUR COUNTRY
PVT Luke Jacobsen –Marines, Okinawa                         
LTJG Donny Newsome, Gurnee, IL                                  
LT Nick Oldfield, Navy, Virginia – home base               
Mike Preditus                                                                      
SGT Dennis Pruitt, IRAQ                                                                   
Please let me know other Judo families who have loved ones serving in our military:  rank, branch of service and where they are serving.  Thanks.

Something to Think About – 

WHO YOU ARE MAKES A DIFFERENCE! J

I have been contemplating an idea.   If you are familiar with the book Chicken Soup for the Soul, you may have read a story about blue ribbons. It goes like this:

A teacher in New York decided to honor each of her seniors in high school by telling them the difference they each made. Using a process developed by Helice Bridges of Del Mar, California, she called each student to the front of the class, one at a time.

First she told them how the student made a difference to her and the class. Then she presented each of them with a blue ribbon imprinted with gold letters which read, "Who I Am Makes a Difference."

Afterwards the teacher decided to do a class project to see what kind of impact recognition would have on a community. She gave each of the students three I more ribbons and instructed them to go out and spread this acknowledgment ceremony. Then they were to follow up on the results, see who honored whom and report back to the class in about a week.

One of the boys in the class went to a junior executive in a nearby company  and honored him for helping him with his career planning. He gave him a blue ribbon and put it on his shirt.

Then he gave him two extra ribbons, and said, "We're doing a class project on recognition, and we'd like you to go out, find somebody to honor, give them a blue ribbon, then give them the extra blue ribbon so they can acknowledge a third person to keep this acknowledgment ceremony going.  Then please report back to me and tell me what happened."

Later that day the junior executive went in to see his boss, who had been noted, by the way, as being kind of a grouchy fellow. He sat his boss down and he told him that he deeply admired him for being a creative genius.

The boss seemed very surprised. The junior executive asked him if he would accept the gift of the blue ribbon and would he give him permission to put it on him. His surprised boss said, "Well, sure."

The junior executive took the blue ribbon and placed it right on his boss's jacket above his heart. As he gave him the last extra ribbon, he said, "Would you do me a favor? Would you take this extra ribbon and pass it on by honoring somebody else? The young boy who first gave me the ribbons is doing a project in school and we want to keep this recognition ceremony going
and find out how it affects people."

That night the boss came home to his 14-year-old son and sat him down. He said, "The most incredible thing happened to me today. I was in my office and one of the junior executives came in and told me he admired me and gave me a blue ribbon for being a creative genius. Imagine. He thinks I'm a creative genius. Then he put this blue ribbon that says 'Who I Am Makes A Difference' on my jacket above my heart. He gave me an extra ribbon and asked me to find somebody else to honor. As I was driving home tonight, I started thinking about whom I would honor with this ribbon and I thought about you. I want to honor you.

"My Days are really hectic and when I come home I don't pay a lot of attention to you. Sometimes I scream at you for not getting good enough grades in school and for your bedroom being a mess, but somehow tonight, I just wanted to sit here and well, just let you know that you do make a difference to me. Besides your mother, you are the most important person in my life. You're a great kid and I love you!"

The startled boy started to sob and sob, and he couldn't stop crying.

His whole body shook. He looked up at his father and said through his tears, "I  was planning on committing suicide tomorrow, Dad, because I didn't  think you loved me. Now I don't need to."

-Chicken Soup for the Soul

This message is a great one; please pass it on to all of the people who make a difference in your life.  Hopefully we, too will make a difference.

Unlike most messages, there is absolutely no bad luck attached to this one.   There is no limit on the amount of people that you can send it to, so send it to anyone and everyone.  You do not have to pass it on, but it will be meaningful if you do.  You already know how great it feels to receive this message, now show everyone else how much it can mean!  Thanks for making a
difference in my life and in so many other people's lives.

Thanks once again for making a difference to me or to other people.  Everyone who receives this letter is truly inspirational!

UPCOMING EVENTS - 2006
Please note the following events on the horizon for Illinois and the Midwest.  Communication and download information can be gotten directly through this email by attachments or by going to www.judofdl.com  (Brett Wood Taylor Welcome Mat Judo). OR www.judocalendar.com  (Jim Carmer).  Either site is a wealth of information on Judo events.  Both have more events listed than I have, so visit their sites often.  Thanks.

Aug 19             IJI Board of Directors Meeting Luigi's House (Restaurant),  778 N. Rte 59 Aurora, IL
Contact Tim Schultheis      (847)244-7847    tschulth@warpnet.net
          PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A SATURDAY NOON MEETING AT 12:00PM

Sept 16            Land of Lakes Tournament   Walker Field House, Hamline University, St Paul, MN  NEW!!!
            Contact:           Gary Foster      gfoster@visi.com

Sep 23             11th ANNIVERSARY OF “THE ROCK & ROLL  CAPITAL OF THE WORLD” JUDO TOURNAMENT      Solon, OH
                Contact Mike Mooney                             mmooney@academycomm.com

Oct 7 – 8         2006 Juyukai East Coast Judo Championship         Newark NJ
            Contact Sensei Y. Yonezuka    www.cranfordjkc.com    1-908-276-3544

Oct 15             5th Annual Wolf Junior Tournament Chicago, IL (MAI)
            Contact   Brett Wolf                 azumah4@yahoo.com
               Yarina Birnbaum 773-348-8641/ philya@ameritech.net  /Fax:773-442-1550

Oct 15             2006 Great Lakes Open Judo Championships  Ypsilanti, MI  NEW!!!
            Contact Neil Simon      NJSimon@aol.com
                          Dave Wertheimer       Dave.Werthiemer@farmington.k12.mi.us

Oct 20-21        2006 US Open             Miami, FL
                Contact Corrine Shigemoto                corrinshig@aol.com

Oct 28-29        Badger Open Judo Tournament  Fond du Lac, WI
                Contact Brett Wood-Taylor               welcomemat@charter.net
                                Tournament package available online August 15, 21006

Nov 4 – 5        2nd Annual All Women’s Championships      Kalamazoo, MI
            Contact Deborah Fergus           DeFrgs6@cs.com http://www.southsidedojo.com/womens

Nov 12          Gurnee Veteran's Day Judo Tournament            Grayslake, IL        
            Contact         Tim Schultheis  tschulth@warpnet.net   or flyer available www.gurneejudoclub.com

Dec 2               Santa’s Shiai  Fond du Lac, WI
            Contact            Brett Wood-Taylor       welcomemat@charter.net

LIFE MEMBERSHIPS INFORMATION – USA JUDO
For more information on Life Membership in USA Judo, please contact USA Judo and click on “LIFE MEMBERSHIP”  
Nat’l       Order     Name
030          1             Henry Okamura(deceased)
041          2             Kei Narimatsu
065          3             James Colgan
122          4             Richard Fukuyama(deceased)
125          5             Joanne Barthold(deceased)
139          6             George Stanich
148          7             Mary Gail Ford
161          8             Kevin Narimatsu
162          9             Scott Narimatsu (CA)
164          10           Byung Chul Cho
167          11           Yung Kim
177          12           Kyu Yoon
181          13           John Bek
189          14           Quentin Thompson
201          15           Michiyuki Sasa
216          16           George Weers
271          17           Susan McConnell
289          18           William Jaconetti
291          19           Jean S Narimatsu
292          20           Susan Narimatsu
324          21           Timothy Tremaine
342          22           Stephen Bergren
349          23           Timothy Canty
355          24           Tim Schultheis
358          25           Bradford Lee (NV)
363          26           Frank Oliveri
364          27           Michael Ogata (FL)
370          28           Jeanette J Narimatsu
371          29           Julie K Narimatsu
374          30           Joe Kajita (CA)
378          31           Eiko Shepherd
381          32           Bill Dunning(deceased)
382          33           Yasko Odagiri
383          34           Wren Odagiri
385          35           Cary Yamanaka (MN)               
387          36           Don Bordeau

There are currently only 34 Life Members in Illinois.  You can start a membership for $75 minimum start payment and $25 per payment thereafter until completed.  You can pay by cash, check or credit card.  For more information, please contact www.usjudo.org  and select “LIFE MEMBERSHIP” Let’s do our share in Illinois.   Thanks.