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EBJI
Members Receive National
Recognition
Stephanie Hata, 17, of El Cerrito, CA, and a member of
the East Bay Judo Institute, received the US Judo Federation�s 2001
International Youth Female Athlete of the Year Award, and the 2001
Senior Female Athlete of the Year Award.
In 2001, Hata took gold medals at the US High School Nationals, Senior
Nationals, Junior Nationals, and the US Open, which is the largest
international event in the country. She also took a gold medal at the
Gotenburg International in Sweden and a silver the Pan American Jr. Judo
Championships in Argentina.
Both awards are determined entirely objectively, with the highest
classified athlete in the USA Elite sr. and jr. Athlete Rosters who is
also a continuing USJF member selected.
In addition, EBJI head instructor David Matsumoto received the senior
and junior female coach of the year awards for 2001 from the US Judo
Federation. Matsumoto has been the head instructor at EBJI since 1984.
Since that time, EBJI students have distinguished themselves by taking a
medal over 200 times in national and international competition.
The coach of the year award is given to the coach of the athletes who
receive the athlete of the year award.
The
East Bay Judo Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the
teaching of Kodokan Judo. It�s head instructor is Dr. David Matsumoto,
6th degree black belt. For information about classes,
schedules, location, and contact information, see www.ebji.org
or call 510-237-0607.
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EBJI Students
Capture Nine Medals, Including Five Gold, at 2002 US Judo Jr. National
Championship
The 2002 US Judo Federation Jr., Youth, Team, and Kata
National Championships were held in Sacramento, CA 5-8 July 2002.
Approximately 771 contestants ages 7-19 competed for top spots in what
is recognized as the toughest junior national tournament in this
country.
East
Bay Judo Institute students had outstanding performances at this
year�s championships, capturing five gold medals, two silver medals,
and two bronze medals, demonstrating once again that it is one of the
country�s finest judo programs. Leading off for EBJI on day one was
Jessica Hsieh, 16, who took care of two opponents in the Juvenile B
under 48 kilograms division, dispatching them in solid fashion to garner
a gold medal. This tournament was especially important for Hsieh as it
was her first after major knee surgery, and having trained for only six
weeks.
Next up was Marti Malloy, 16, competing in the Juvenile B under 57
kilograms division. In the first round, Malloy was trounced by longtime
rival Ronda Rousey, the eventual gold medallist. Mallow then dropped to
the loser�s bracket, where she had to climb through to place. She
subsequently beat five opponents in a row to take a silver medal.
On day two, Stephanie Hata, 17, 2002 US High School National champion,
met her rival Alexandra Causey in the first round of the Youth under 48
kgs division. Hata played a perfect technical match, giving her the win.
She went on in round two to compete against teammate Hsieh, who doubled
up in this division. Hata beat Hsieh by throwing her for ippon or full
point, the equivalent of a knock out in boxing, with seoinage or
shoulder throw. The win secured the gold medal for Hata. Hsieh finished
in third, losing to Causey in a close and tough match.
Veronica Castillo, 13, competed in the Juvenile A under 57 kgs division,
and breezed through three opponents to take her first gold medal in
national competition. Teammate Dale Hata, 13, competing in the Juvenile
A under 53 kgs division, lost his first round match to Nick Delcopolo,
the eventual gold medallist, but came back to win four straight to set
up a final match determining the silver and bronze medallists. Hata lost
the match, settling for a bronze medal to add to his silver medal
performance last year.
Marija Djokic, 17, competing in the Youth under 63 kgs division, easily
took care of her two opponents to secure her first gold medal in this
division. Molly O�Rourke, 19, also handily won her two matches to
capture her gold medal in the Youth over 78 kgs division.
Marti Malloy, doubling in the Youth under �57 kgs division, won her
first round match against Amber Iterralde of Sacramento before running
into rival Rousey, who once again got the best of Malloy. Malloy then
dropped to the loser�s bracket and won four straight matches to
capture her second silver medal.
EBJI members Robert Cohea, 14, and Phillip Lau, 16, also competed at the
event, and turned in gutsy performances.
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