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For Immediate Release The
Fall Classic Invitational was held on August 30, 2003 at the Indianapolis
Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Over 150 competitors from around the nation gathered for this
senior-level tournament. Representing
the East Bay Judo Institute in El Cerrito were Veronica Castillo,
Stephanie Hata, Molly O�Rourke, and Sayaka Matsumoto.
First up for East Bay Judo was 15-year-old Veronica Castillo,
fighting in the 63 kg category. Castillo,
the current high school national champion, faced Taylor Middendorf from
New York in the first round. Castillo
pinned Taylor for ippon (full point) to advance to the next round where
she faced Gina Mattia, the current senior national champion.
Castillo came out aggressively, but was out-experienced and lost by
minor points, putting her in the repacharge against Ashlie Martini, the
current senior national bronze medallist.
Again Castillo came out very aggressively, but was penalized for
passivity in the middle of the match.
She attempted to come back, but was unable to tie up the score.
Martini won by minor points, ending Castillo�s first debut at a
senior level tournament, but proving to her that she can hang with the
best of USA judo.
Next up was Molly O�Rourke, the current senior national bronze
medallist at the 78kg category. In
her first match, O�Rourke faced Nina Cutro-Kelly, whom she had fought in
the finals for bronze at the senior nationals this year.
Previously, O�Rourke had thrown Cutro-Kelly for full point and
this time was no different. O�Rourke
dominated the whole match, throwing Cutro-Kelly for ippon (full point)
with a beautiful haraigoshi at the 3:30 mark.
She advanced to the next round where she met Loretta Edwards,
member of the 2003 World Team. O�Rourke
had never beaten Edwards before, but this time threw her with ease with
ouchigari (inner leg reap) for ippon to end the match before the first
minute went by. O�Rourke
then advanced to face Nikki Kubes, the current senior national champion.
Unfortunately, O�Rourke was thrown in the first minute with a leg
pick for ippon. She dropped down to the loser�s bracket where she faced
Edwards again, this time throwing her again with ouchigari for ippon in
the first exchange. In the
finals for first place, O�Rourke faced Kubes yet again, but was thrown
for ippon, giving her a well-earned silver medal.
Current Jr. National Champion and former Senior National Champion
Stephanie Hata fought in her first senior tournament since a knee injury,
representing East Bay Judo in the 48kg category.
In her first match, Hata faced Christine Carrera, the current
senior national silver medallist and 2001 US Open and Rendez Vous
Champion. Hata was surprised
when Carrera caught her in matwork, pinning her for ippon (full point) in
the first minute. Hata
bounced back in the loser�s bracket to beat Nicki Schulteis, current
senior national bronze medallist by pinning her for full point.
She next faced Ann Shiraishi and easily beat her by arm-locking her
into submission for full point. Hata
then faced Kayla Harrison-Vazell from Ohio.
She controlled Harrison-Vazell the whole match, throwing her for
minor points and was able to hang on to the lead.
Hata then faced Carrera again.
She came out much stronger but was caught off guard when she was
thrown with drop seoinage (shoulder throw) for ippon, giving Hata the
bronze medal. Defending National Champion Sayaka Matsumoto fought in the 48kg category to defend her 2002 Fall Classic title. Her first match was against Ann Shiraishi. Matsumoto threw her for yuko (minor point) with uchimata in the first exchange, then arm-locked her for ippon in the second minute. Matsumoto�s second match was against Christine Carrera. The match was a repeat of this year�s senior national final, which Matsumoto had won. This match was no different. Matsumoto took control, throwing Carrera for 2 yukos (minor points) with osotogari (outer leg sweep) and gave her 3 penalties for stalling. Matsumoto held onto the win, and then faced Carrera yet again in this double-elimination system. Matsumoto dominated the whole match with Carrera, looking in no danger of getting thrown and was able to hold onto the win and the gold medal. Matsumoto now turns her attention to the 2003 World Judo Championships in Osaka, Japan September 11-14, 2003. The head instructor of East Bay Judo Institute is David Matsumoto, the current director of development for the United States Judo Federation and former Team Leader for the 1996 Olympic Games. East Bay Judo Institute is located at 11165 San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito, CA. For more information, please contact us at (510) 237-0607 or visit our website at www.ebji.org. Back
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