Western Judo Academy

Western Judo Academy members are invited to the WJA In-house Competition and Social Day on Saturday, 28 May 2011. This round robin competition is only for Kyu Grades. Juniors weigh in between 8:30am and 9am, seniors weigh in between 10am and 10:30am. There will be a BBQ from 12 noon with a raffle drawn at 12:30pm. $10 competition entry fee. Spectators free. It'll be a great day. Come and support your club. For more info please email ivo_dos_santos@hotmail.com

Judo Masters Monash - 19 March 2011:

Morning:
Division under 66kg
1st fight vs Simon Carroll - Ballarat : Ippon with Osoto gari left side
2nd fight vs michael Tong - YMCA Geelong: Ipon with Uchi mata left side
=> Final result: Gold medal

Afternoon
Open division under 50 years old
1st fight vs Simon Carroll - Ballarat: Yuko with Tai otoshi right side
2nd fight vs Deon Smith over 100kg - Lost Ippon with counter of my uchi mata
Fight for bronze medal vs Jon Grafton under 73kg: Win by Ipon with Ko soto gari.
=> Result 3rd place (Winner is Miki Mayer from Caulfield)

Open division over 50 years old
Gold medal: John Azoury from Marist - ACT
Very friendly atmosphere with about 35 fighters encouraging each other during the fights I will certainly participate next year.

Regards Chris

Western Judo Academy would like to Congratulate Ian Bruce on his grading to 1st Dan. Ian, along with his 2 sons Colin and Owen trained with the Academy for 12 months before returning to Canada. Pictured is Ian wearing the Black Belt given to him by WJA before his return home.

The Saturday Judo classes have proven popular. To cater fir the growth in students, we have split the 90 minute adult class into two 60 minute classes. You can now attend either the technique class at 9am, the Randori competition class at 10am or both. The children’s class has also been expanded to a full 90 minute class. The new Saturday class timetable starts 2nd April 2011.

WJA member Perry Papadimitropoulos won bronze at the QLD International Open on 26 March 2011 in the Junior Mens 66kg division. Perry defeated the current 73kg Oceania Champion on the way. Well done !!!

Western Judo Academy was represented at the 2010 Australian Judo Championships by Ivo Dos Santos and Rebecca Mangan. Christof Legaud was present as one of the tournament referees.

In addition to these 2 members the club had many of our regular visitors compete also; Dennis Iverson, Tom Pappas, Brian Jolly and Allen Jolly.

Rebecca lost 2 hard fought battles in the Women's 52 kg division but gained considerable experience from participating.

Ivo had a bye to the quarter finals where he was able to control his match before throwing his south australian opponent for ippon with uchi mata. In the semi final Ivo defeated his western australian opponent by scoring a waza-ari with uchi mata and transitioning to a choke finish.

In the final he faced Steven Brown (2008 Olympian). The match saw both players receive penalty's for various infractions. With the match poised at waza-ari vs yuko (Ivo down) Ivo dropped under his opponent with drop seio-nage ending the fight with a big Ippon.

With this result Ivo won his first National Title since 2007.

Visitors; Dennis Gold (mens 73 kg), Tom Bronze (mens 60 kg), Brian Gold (Boys 34 kg) and Allen Unplaced (60 kg).

All in all the Nationals was a great success for everyone around the Western Judo Academy.

In this 4 week period many of WJA's member and visitor athlete's will be active competing around Australia and abroad.

Oceania Championships August 15

Ivo Dos Santos and Dennis Iverson will be representing Australiain the 66 and 73 kg weight divisions against the best fighters from the continent in Canberra.

NSW International Open August 21-22

The WJA will be represented by a large group at this competition. Members: Ivo Dos Santos, Rebecca Mangan, Ryosuke Miwa, Brendan Almeida and Christof Legaud (referee) Visitors: Dennis Iverson, Tom Pappas, Ben Donegan, Brian Jolly, Neville Sharpe (referee)

Miami World Cup and US Open August 27-29

Ivo Dos Santos and Dennis Iverson will represent Australia in the 66 and 73 kg weight divisions against the worlds best Judoka in this Olympic Qualification competition which will also serve as preparation for the World Championships.

World Judo Championships Tokyo, Japan September 9-13

Ivo and Dennis will again be representing Australia on the biggest stage in judo, in the birthplace of judo, Tokyo, Japan. This will be the second Worlds team for both of these athletes. Everyone at WJA wishes all athletes and referees the best of luck in all of these tournaments.