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Several British judokas travelled to
Miami to compete in the 2006 USA Senior Open Championships over
20/21st October.
The event was its usual
high standard, with players from many countries competing. The
attraction of the USA event is that players can encounter foreign
competitors from more far afield Countries, including Mongolia,
Japan, Mexico and the many other South American States, together
with strong representation from European Nationalities.
This year was a particular
success for Britain, with three medals won from a smaller
than usual contingent.
JR Badrick put in a superb
performance throughout the under 66 weight category, defeating
most opponents with ippon throws. He faced American Flores in
the final, which initially started to go away from JR, through
an early uko score to the American.
His experienced opponent
kept JR on the move, making it difficult for him to get an attack
in. However, an exchange on the edge gave JR the opening he required,
and he finished the final with a superb ippon throw. A gold for
JR, and he was also named as Player of the Day.
Adam Bick was competing
at under 81kg, in his first tournament back after undergoing knee
surgery for a snapped ligament. His operation, and subsequent
rebuild and rehabilitation had taken 11 months from the original
injury date.
This event was clearly
an important one for Adam, as it was his opportunity to prove
his successful return to international competition. He certainly
did this, winning through to the semi final with a series of ippons
from Tachiwaza and Newaza, defeating a very strong Brazilian opponent
in the quarter finals with a throw so hard, that the Brazilian
was forced to withdraw from the event. The semi final seemed to
be influenced by the home crowd when, winning by two uko scores
in the match, Adam received two questionable penalties in the
last 23 seconds, forcing golden score. Here he lost on another
unbelievable score that meant he had one fight to win the bronze.
His opponent was a powerful
Mongolian, and the match was hard and close throughout, with Adam
eventually winning with ippon from a haraigoshi, to take the bronze
medal.
David Groom, also competing
at under 81kg, had an excellent day's competition. He won through
to the semi finals with some strong wins, where he lost on ippon
to a much more experienced American. His bronze medal contest
was also extremely tough, and David lost on an armlock. His 5th
place was an excellent result, given his young age, and he has
certainly reinforced his pedigree as a player to watch for future
international success.
Michael Horley another
British under 81kg competitor, turned a disappointing day into
a day to remember. He first competed at under 81kg, and came across
strong opposition, which ended his weight category involvement
early. Not to be deterred, Michael then entered the Open Weight
category, certainly the lightest player to take part. A remarkable
series of wins saw him through to the final, facing a very strong,
but immobile, American. Michael fought an intelligent contest,
keeping the pace fast, and eventually his opponent went through
the penalties to get disqualified, with Michael taking the gold
medal.
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