June 28, 2012 - GRANDSTAND - P23
News
Simmons just misses top 3 at Nationals oy Woy Judo Club’s Daniel Simmons just missed a podium finish at the 2012 National Judo Championships at WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong over the June long weekend.
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The 26 year old had four fights and went two for two in the Men’s U73 kg categories. “I was off to a flying start with preparation for this year’s nationals”, Simmons said. “I was training hard and my fitness was strong. “Then about eight weeks prior to the championships, I tore the AC in my right shoulder during training. “Side lined in a sling for about four weeks, I undertook constant physiotherapy that saw me back training earlier than expected.” The draw at the Titles consisted of 14 players in his
weight category, calculating it was going to be three fights to the final. Off to a great start in the preliminary rounds, Simmons won his first fight by Ippon (Full Point) in the first 30 seconds against the Northern Territory, and then his second fight went to full time of five minutes which he won by Wazari (Half Point) and penalties against his Victorian opponent. In the semi-final, Simmons ranked number three in Australia in his weight category and was up against the number two ranked judoka, Darren Rogers from Western Australia. Simmons used dominating grips and moved well, attempting a Seoi Nage (shoulder throw) which saw him caught with an arm lock in ground work, causing him to submit. This then put him into the Bronze Medal fight, against
the 2011 National Champion and Number One ranked Judoka in the division from Victoria. “This was going to the toughest match of the day for me, we had trained together a lot at National training camps, but never met in competition,” Simmons said. “I knew this was going to go all the way to full time, preparing myself mentally to concentrate on seeing it through to a podium finish.” Having NSW State Coach and 2004 Athens Olympian Morgan Endicott-Davies in the chair and the support of his dad who was also Woy Woy Chief Instructor, Assistant NSW State Coach and 1968 Oceania Silver Medallist, Danny Simmons, on the sidelines for this match, Simmons came out firing off grips and moving well. In the second minute of the fight, the Victorian caught Simmons and threw him for
a Wazari (Half Point) with a Tai Otoshi (Body Drop). Simmons quickly switched back on, listening closely to Morgan to keep attacking and put the pressure on. For the next three minutes, that was what he did. The Victorian ended up with three stalling penalties, which evened the score, but with 20 seconds to go in the fight, Simmons was given a stalling penalty near the edge of the mats giving the Victorian the match. Woy Woy chief instructor, Danny Simmons said: “I felt for Daniel, he was so close, but I’m very proud of him, to take the 2011 National Champion to almost full time and only to lose by a penalty is a great achievement.” This fifth Place ranking slipped Daniel back to fifth on the National Table, but only two points separated him from the top four.
Dixon wins another accolade by Nigel Fitzgibbon
he Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club annual presentation night was held on Saturday, June 2 and saw Katie Dixon receive Patrol person of the Year.
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Katie is also the current Central Coast, NSW and Australian Lifesaver of the year. “Her contribution to lifesaving as the Manager of Rescue Services, Patrol Captain and as a patrolling member was outstanding,” said Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club director
of lifesaving Mr Nigel Fitzgibbon. Junior Patrol Person of the Year went to Jason Smith who did 107 hours on patrol, received the 100 per cent patrolling award and was the club’s First Aid Officer. He gained his IRB drivers licence and trained SRC candidates too. Non Rostered Patrol Person of the Year was awarded to Fritz Van Aalderen “Fritz is a life member of the club and still makes a massive contribution to lifesaving, clocking up a remarkable 93 hours on
patrol,” said Mr Fitzgibbon. Club Person of the Year went to Elaine Unger who is the club’s director of finance and coordinated the functions area for nine carnivals that Ocean Beach hosted this season. Junior Club Person of the Year went to Jordan Smith and Matthew Calbert. “Jordan and Matthew fulfilled their patrolling commitments with aplomb as well as competing in branch and state carnivals,” said Mr Fitzgibbon. “They both up-skilled their knowledge base and represented the club in the local community,” he said.
This year the patrol competition was run over four rounds and the title was shared between patrol number one captained by Mr Fitzgibbon and patrol number eight captained by Aaron Camp. Both teams scored 426.5 out of a maximum 430 points and performed well over the entire course of the season. Patrol number two, captained by Alan Moffit, came third on 425 points. Highest Patrol Hours Award went to Nigel Fitzgibbon 122 hours, second to Jason Smith with 107 hours and third to Fritz Van Aalderen on 93 hours.
by Lindy Simmons
When asked about the year ahead Simmons said: “I have a few more comps this year and will be pushing hard to get better results in order to increase my ranking.” “My focus is selection to the OJU World Cup in Samoa and hopefully the
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