EBJI Competitors Shine at 2002 US Judo Association Jr. And Youth Nationals                               updated on January 19, 2003

The US Judo Association Jr. and Youth National Championships were held on 12-13 July 2002 in Boca Raton, FL. Four EBJI competitors came away with a total of five gold medals.

Stephanie Hata, 17, of El Cerrito, CA competed in the Female Juvenile C under 48 kg division. In her first match, she beat rival Alex Causey of Los Angeles by a koka (minor) point when Causey received a penalty early in the match. Hata then beat Lauren Gonzalez of Fort Worth, TX, beating her handily with kesa gatame (scarf lock) for ippon or full point, giving Hata her second gold medal in two weeks.

Marti Malloy, 16, of Oak Harbor, WA competed in the Female Juvenile B under 57 kg division and the Female Juvenile C under 57 kg division. In both divisions, Malloy won all seven of her matches by ippon or full point, throwing opponents with her favorite Osoto Gari (major outer reap) and in one match putting an arm lock on her opponent to submission. Because of her excellent performance, Malloy took a gold medal in both divisions.

Marija Djokic, 17, of El Cerrito, CA beat Katie Unger of Chicago, IL twice, both times for ippon with uchimata or inner thigh reap to give her a gold medal in the Female Juvenile C under 63 kg division, to go along with the gold medal she won in the same division the previous week at another jr. national championships.

Molly O�Rourke, 19, of Albany, CA beat Abbie Haire of Whittier, NC twice in the Female Juvenile C over 78 kg division. In her first match O�Rourke threw Haire for ippon with Osotogari, and in the second match Haire was disqualified with four penalties, giving O�Rourke her second gold medal in as many weeks.

The East Bay Judo Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to the teaching of Kodokan Judo. Classes are held Mondays through Saturdays, and are taught by Dr. David Matsumoto, 6^th dan. For more information on class schedules, contact the EBJI at 510-237-0607 or visit their website at www.ebji.org.