Apr 03

JUDO: USA Judo Senior National Championships Comes to Virginia Beach, April 11-12

For Immediate Release April 3, 2008 Contact: Nicole Jomantas, 719.271.9937 (cell) Nicole.Jomantas@usajudo.us Tournament Is Final Qualifier for 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Judo (Colorado Springs, Colo.)-The journey to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will begin for many athletes at the USA Judo Senior National Championships, April 11-12 in Virginia Beach, Va. Athletes competing in Virginia Beach will have one final opportunity to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Judo which will be held June 13-14 in Las Vegas. Players who complete the tournament as the #1-ranked U.S. athlete in their respective weight division also will qualify to represent the United States at the Pan American Championships, May 8-11 in Miami, Fla. More than 500 players are expected to compete in the tournament that also includes masters (over 30-years-old) and kata (forms) divisions. The tournament will be held at The Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th St. Competition schedule is as follows: Friday April 11 9 a.m.-Preliminary competition begins (Women's 63kg, 70kg, 78kg, +78kg and Men's 81kg, 90kg, 100kg, +100kg) 1 p.m.-Kata divisions 6 p.m.-Opening Ceremonies and Medal matches Saturday April 12 9 a.m.-Preliminary competition begins (Women's 44kg, 48kg, 52kg, 57kg, Open and Men's 55kg, 60kg, 66kg, 73kg and Open) 1 p.m.-Masters divisions 5 p.m.-Medal matches The following past Olympians are expected to be among the competitors vying for a chance to compete at the Games in August: - Ronda Rousey (Wakefield, Mass. / NYAC / USA Judo National Team FORCE / 70kg), 2004 Olympian and 2007 World silver medalist - Valerie Gotay (Harlingen, Texas / USA Judo National Training Site at Harlingen / 57kg), 1992 Olympian and 2007 Pan American Champion - Nikki Kubes (Fort Worth, Texas / Fort Worth Judo / 78kg), 2004 Olympian and 2006 National Champion - Taraje Williams-Murray (Wakefield, Mass. / NYAC / USA Judo National Team FORCE / 60kg), 2004 Olympian and four-time National Champion - Rick Hawn (Wakefield, Mass. / USA Judo National Team FORCE / 90kg), 2004 Olympian and 2007 Pan American Games bronze medalist - Brian Olson (Boulder, Colo. / NYAC / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center / 90kg), three-time Olympian and 1997 World bronze medalist - Rene Capo (Naperville, Ill. / Cohen's Judo / 100kg), 1988 and 1996 Olympian For more information, contact Nicole Jomantas, USA Judo Director of Communications and Media Relations, at 719.271.9937 (cell) or Nicole.Jomantas@usajudo.us. -END-