Member News

April 3, 2008    

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

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