Judo

All Japan Judo Championships, K. Inoue lost

Sydney Olympic champion Kosei Inoue (29yrs) from Japan announced retirement after his loss at the All Japan open weight Judo championships at Budokan hall in Tokyo on April 29th.

Three times World champion and Sydney Olympic -100kg division winner Kosei Inoue with his superb uchimata (leg throw) techniques has dominated the World for 5 years, but in 2004 Athens Olympic he lost his battle. It was the one of the biggest upsets in Olympic judo history. Since then he had major injury in 2005 and he was out of competition for entire year but he recovered and came back in the competition in 2006 with his eye on the Beijing Olympics.

He won the Paris International in 2007 but in same year he lost at World championships for 5^th place at Rio.

All at stake was at the All Japan judo championships but again he lost in the quarterfinal match against young Yohei Takai (25yrs) with his favorite uchimata throw attempt but he got countered and pined.

Kosei Inoue stated, “I don’t have any regret feeling of my decision and I did the best of my career. I like to learn foreign language and coaching in England and I will give back to Judo community in the future.”

Ishii wins again the All Japan and Beijing Tickets

 Young Ishii Captured Second All Japan Titles and Beijing Olympic Tickets. 4/29

 Tokyo- 2008 All Japan judo championships and the final trial for Beijing Olympic was held at Budokan hall in Tokyo on April 29^th .Top three +100kg players 2006 all Japan champion Satoshi Ishii, Rio’s World champion Yasuyuki Muneta and three times World champion Kosei Inoue battled their final one ticket to Beijing.  

First, Inoue lost in the quarterfinal by Yohei Takai and number one spot Muneta was upset by 21years old Ishii by penalty in the semifinal. In the final Ishii threw last year’s champion and +100kg Olympic gold medalist Keiji Suzuki(27yrs) with ouchi-gari (major inside foot clip) to scored yuko (1/4 pt) in the opening to lead but Suzuki fought back to dominate the match in the second half but he could not catch up Ishii’s point and time was up. Ishii captured second All Japan title and later he was selected for the +100kg player for Beijing Olympic.

2008 US. Sr. National and Olympic trial, Rousey won again

 2007 World silver medalist Ronda Rousey captured title and former Champ Brian Olson settled 2nd at US.Sr.National and Olympic Trial.  4/11

 Virginia Beach,VA- 2008 US. Sr.National and Olympic trial Judo Championships were held at Virginia Beach Virginia on April 11 to 12. This event’s winners will be selected for the final US Olympic trial at Thomas Mack center in Las Vega on June 13 to 15. Many top seeded players in each division were absent due to their concentration to the only final Olympic trial at Las Vegas. In the Men’s division veteran -90kg World bronze medalist Brian Olson(Co) defeated top seeded player Rick Hawn (Ma) in the prelim round but he lost in the final by No,1 ranked Garry St. Leger(NY)’s kataguruma (Shoulder wheel throw) for full point but he still has a chance for the final trial.

In the Women’s division 2007 World -70kg silver medalist Rond Rousey(Ma) dose not have rival opponent in the US. She defeated Tomoyo Yoshinaga from San Jose State’s University with sodetsurikomi (lifting arm throw) to crash her and pined her for the title. She is dominating this division. (Detail in the next issue of JJ)

World Cup Paris International T.Riner took Gold

19 years old +100kg World Champ Teddy Riner (Fra) and +78kg Champion Tong Wen(Chi) won the Paris International. 2/10

 Paris- World cup Paris International Judo championships was held on Feb 9 and 10 for two days in Paris France. Over 533 players from 70 countries competed at Brcey sports arena. 19 years old French sensation World champion Teddy Riner again defeated three times World champion Kosei Inoue of Japan in the semifinal round captured the +100kg division title at the toughest International invitation. He is closest one for the gold medal at Beijing Olympics.

In the women’s division 2007 Rio’s World winner Tong Wen of China beat Japan’s Mai Tateyama in the first round to captured the +78kg title but Tong did not fight against rival Japan’s Maki Tsukada this time. Athens Olympic winner Tsukada will be the toughest her opponents. 

World Cup German International Muneta dominate

Hamburg- Two time World Champion Japan’s Yasuyuki Muneta defeated French top star Teddy Riner to captured the title. Olympic Champion Kye Sun-Hui of North Korea challenges New -63kg division. 2/24

  Rio’s World open weight champion Japan’s Yasuyuki Muneta (29yrs) defeated rising top French star Teddy Riner(19yrs) with two penalty to captured precious gold medal in the +100kg division in the German International on Feb 22-24. Former World champion Russian Alexsander Mikhailine settled 3^rd but how he deal with rival Tomenov who place 2^nd at Rio’s world.

In the Women’s division, Three different weight class World champion Kye Sui-Hui of North Korea took -57kg World title at Rio in the last September. Now she fights in the -63kg division at the German International to find a spot for the Beijing Olympics, She was defeated by Japan’s -63kg No 2 player Toshie Ueno’s powerful osoto-gari (Major outside clip throw) in the second round but came back to place 3^rd to seeking the gold at this division.

News Flash!

Three time Olympic winner Tadahiro Nomura retire! After AJJF select Hiraoka for Beijing. 4/5

 Fukuoka- Three time -60kg Olympic gold medalist Japan’s Tadahiro Nomura lost at semi-final bout against Daisuke Asano in his -60kg final Olympic trial and All Japan Weightlimit Championships at the Fukuoka kokusai center on April 5^th.

All Japan judo federation picked winner Hiroaki Hiraoka for -60kg Olympic contender from Japan.

 2000 Olympic champion Kosei Inoue won the All Japan Weight limit to still hung on his chance for the Beijing Olympics.

 Tokyo- Kosei Inoue defeated all his opponent in the +100kg division including 2007 Rio’s World winner Yasuyuki Muneta to captured the All Japan weightlimit title. He kept his Olympic nomination to the final trial at All Japan Open Weight Judo Championships.

US Players Rousey and Stevens in Paris International

US. Women’s Hope Ronda Rousey -70kg and Men’s -81kg Travis Stevens are the only two advanced to 3^rd round match to lost their fight to place 9^th place at Paris international. 2/10

 Paris- 2007 World silver medalist Ronda Rousey of California beat first two round but Japan’s Masae Ueno beat her in the end of golden score by referee’s decision. Travis also advanced to his 3^rd round battle but Italian Antonio Ciano threw Travis by full point. Both Ronda and Travis end up with 9^th place. Other all US. player’s are lost in the early round.

US.-73kg Reser in German Open

 US. Hope Ryan Reser lost in the 3^rd round fight at -81kg division in German Open. 2/24

 Hamburg- US -71kg contender Ryan Reser of Texas competed in the -81kg division at German Open. He advanced to 3^rd round but U-20 European champion Sven Maresch beat Reser by penalty. Another -71kg contender Chuck Jefferson of San Jose lost in the 1^st round by 2007 World 3^rd place finisher Rasul Bokiev’s taiotoshi (body drop throw) for full point to eliminate both of them at Geman International