June 28, 2012 - GRANDSTAND - P13
Judo
Woy Woy Judo students compete at Blacktown
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ix junior students of the Woy Woy Judo Club, aged eight to 11 years, attended an invitation only Judo Competition at the Blacktown PCYC on Sunday, May 27. In a field of over 100 competitors, split into three age divisions of U9, U12 and U15, six were in the Novice [yellow belts]. In his first competition, Woy Woy’s youngest competitor, eight year old Oberon Burns won the Silver Medal against Harrison Lamley from Samurai Judo Academy, Newcastle. Oberon tried hard to throw Harrison many times
only to be taken with a counter throw. Nine year olds, Mark Mackay, Jasper Foti and Sean Keogh had plenty of contenders in their weight divisions. Jasper was in the lightest division of U29kg which was converted to a combined bout of male and female competitors to ensure all the lightweights had a roll around. Jasper was the only male medal winner taking the Silver. Mark Mackay and Sean Keogh were in a pool of five players in the U12/U34kg. Mark showed outstanding concentration throughout all four matches, only to be taken out of medal
by Lindy Simmons
contention in a hold down. Sean Keogh, who showed a strong competitive edge, won all his bouts taking on team mate Mark as well as opponents from Budokan, Castle Hill and Tiger Do. After three wins, Sean was awarded the Gold Medal when his fourth opponent forfeited. In the U12/U42kg, Stirling Young and Steven Lill found themselves competing against each other in the match of the day. Both players were confident of winning, which saw them use their favourite techniques with gusto. Stirling was the successor with a precision ippon seo nage [shoulder throw] to seal the Gold Medal.
Yokoyama wins gold at Judo Nationals
by Pete Acciari
even players from Tuggerah’s Kido-Mingara Judo Academy r e p r e s e n t e d the state at the Australian Judo Titles held in Wollongong from June 9 to 11.
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Over 600 players of the best Judoka in the junior and senior divisions from every state, as well as visiting International athletes, competed over the long weekend, displaying their skills and entertained the public with spirited bouts. At 16, Liam Yokoyama reconfirmed his dominance in the 60kg U19 division at his fifth national event, he added another gold medal to his collection. He also did well in the senior men, not losing any bouts. In the repechage rounds, Liam had to settle for a bronze medal, when his Victorian opponent of a similar speed and style, took advantage of his relaxed start to the bout.
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Liam’s sister, Angelina Yokoyama, was unable to make her designated weight in the 48kg division, but did well in the heavier 52kg cadets. At the end of the day, both Yokoyama siblings were up on the podium, with Angelina having fought strongly through the repechage rounds to win bronze. Carolin Hain, a previous junior medallist, was keen to re-establish her dominance in the 48kg division, after missing last year’s Championships due to injury. Competing in the U17 cadet, the U19 cadet and the Senior Women, Hain represented the Tuggerah Academy and NSW with confidence. She earned a bronze in the cadets and overcame all but one of her opponents in the U19 Women, to capture the silver medal. Neeson Naidoo, from Watanobbi, trained everyday in preparation for his second appearance at the Junior Nationals.
In his first bout, he threw for full points with Uchimata, and continued in that style to reach the finals in one of the largest divisions. Neeson claimed silver after a narrow loss in the finals to a WA opponent who was able to counter one of his throws. His sister, Kassiea Naidoo gained valuable experience in her first Nationals appearance, being just outside medal contention. In the Junior Women 52kg, Melinda Brown was extremely determined and achieved a bronze medal after being set back by a disrupted training. She is now going to intensify her training, focussing on tachi waza
(throws) in Japan, to prepare for next year. In the U12 Junior Boys, Daniel Villani fought through spirited bouts in the U34kg division, to obtain a bronze medal. Villani came up against tactics he had never seen in his second bout, and a loss to his ACT competitor, and eventual champion, relegated him to the repechage rounds. His quick refocussing after a setback provided him with valuable experience. Coaching director Pete Acciari said the club’s main aim was to attain the maximum potential from each student and to help them find their “inner strength”.
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