For Immediate Release � 2003 Pan American Judo Union Championships

 The Pan American Judo Championships were held on June 5 and 6 in Salvador, Brazil.  Representing the East Bay Judo Institute was Sayaka Matsumoto, the defending national champion in the women�s 48-kilogram category.  Matsumoto attended as a member of the official USA Judo team.  All members attended the tournament to gain points towards qualification of their weight division for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.  Matsumoto earned a silver medal at the Pan Am Championships, putting her one step closer to her Olympic dream.

 In her first match, Matsumoto faced veteran Caroline Lepage from Canada.  In all their previous meetings, Lepage had beaten Matsumoto, including the Zone 1 Championships held only a few short weeks ago.  Here in Brazil, Matsumoto entered the match with a different strategy.  She took an early lead by forcing Lepage to a stalling penalty.  At the 3:30 mark, they entered matwork and Matsumoto was able to secure a pin with sankaku (triangle hold) for wazari (almost full point).  This score put her in the lead considerably.  With about 1:30 left, Matsumoto scored again with ouchigari (inner leg reap) for yuko (half point).  She stayed tough with the grips and was able to hold on for the win, advancing to the next round.

 In the second round, Matsumoto faced Jenny Martinez from the Dominican Republic.  This meeting marked the 4^th time Matsumoto had faced Martinez this year.  Matsumoto took an early lead by forcing Martinez to 2 stalling penalties.  Without forcing the attack, she controlled the grips until Martinez made a bad attack and they entered matwork.  Matsumoto took advantage of this opportunity and applied an arm-bar for ippon (full point) at the 2:00 mark, advancing her into the semi-finals.

 In the semi-finals, Matsumoto faced Analy Rodriguez from Venezuela.  Both competitors came out strong, with Matsumoto looking on the offensive.  She quickly scored with osotogari (outer leg reap) for yuko (half point).  Rodriguez continued to look tough and aggressive, sometimes outgripping Matsumoto.  Yet, Matsumoto never looked in imminent danger, and around the 2:00 mark, was able to throw Rodriguez with ouchigari for ippon (full point).  This win placed Matsumoto in her first final of the Pan American Championships against Lisseth Orozco from Columbia.

 Matsumoto took an early lead in the finals, scoring yuko with ouchigari in the first minute against the Columbian.  The match looked promising, until Matsumoto made an osotogari attack, which Orozco countered for wazari, putting the Columbian in the lead.  Matsumoto then pressured to make an attack, knowing she was behind.  While thinking offensively, Matsumoto made a technical and strategic error when she attacked osotogari again, which Orozco countered again for another wazari, giving Matsumoto the silver medal. 

 Matsumoto now turns her attention to the Pan American Games where she is looking to avenge her loss against Orozco.  She is a the daughter of David Matsumoto, the director of development for the United States Judo Federation, and the head instructor of the East Bay Judo Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to the teachings of Kodokan Judo.  EBJI is located at 11165 San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito, CA.  For more information please call (510) 237-0607 or visit us on the web at www.ebji.org.

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