Press Release

 The Zone 1 Olympic Qualification Tournament was held on May 23, 2003 in Mexico City, Mexico. The US, Canada, Cuba, and 11 other countries comprise the nations of Zone 1. Athletes from various countries participated to earn points towards qualification of their weight category for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.  Representing the East Bay Judo Institute in El Cerrito, CA was 4-time Senior National Champion, Sayaka Matsumoto. 

Competing in the 48-kilogram category, Matsumoto earned a silver medal putting her one step closer to her Olympic goal.  In her first match, she faced Haiti.  Matsumoto was quick to the attack, and threw her with osotogari (outer leg reap) for wazari and followed with a pin for ippon (full point).  

Matsumoto then advanced to face veteran Caroline Lepage from Canada.  Matsumoto looked controlling in the beginning of the match, taking a minor early lead by throwing Lepage for a koka (minor point) with osotogari.  Lepage then received a penalty for non-combativity putting Matsumoto in the lead.  Lepage then came out more aggressively and forced Matsumoto to receive a stalling penalty as well.  Matsumoto was still in the lead with about a minute to go when she received another penalty for non-combativity.  This penalty put Lepage in the lead, and Matsumoto had to settle with the loss.

In her third match, Matsumoto faced Jenny Martinez from the Dominican Republic.  Matsumoto had beaten her previously at the FEDO Judo Dominican Tournament.  This time, the result was no different.  She quickly disposed of her, throwing her for ippon (full point) with osotogari in the first gripping exchange.

Matsumoto�s final match was against Mexico.  The Mexican girl came out strong, but Matsumoto was able to control her grips.  About a minute into the match, Matsumoto countered her attack with osotogari for ippon (full point) giving her the Silver Medal. 

Matsumoto now moves on to the Pan American Judo Championships, which will be held in Brazil from June 6-7.  The East Bay Judo Institute is a non-profit organization dedication to the teachings of Kodokan Judo and is taught by Dr. David Matsumoto.  For more information, you can call (510) 237-0607 or visit us on the web at www.ebji.org.

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