The German Open
Tuesday 11 March 2008
Judo German Open August 11th – 12th 2007
The German Open is a renowned gruelling event with over 600 competing from over 42 different countries. This is the last B tournament competition before The World Companionships due to take place in Rio de Janeiro in September 2007.
Saturday saw action from our representatives in the under 73 and 90 kilos categories. First on was Peter Broom U73kg when he met Tomasz Kieleauali from Poland who threw him and then held him down.
Alex Farbon started well getting a Koka and Yuko against the Belgium Damien Martinuzi who fought back with a Shido against Alex who then responded by throwing for a wazari on the bell with drop Seoinage.
His second fight was with an experienced Czechoslovakian Tomas Muzik who beat him in a close encounter by Yuko. Tomas went on to throw the World Champion Braun for wazari and Ippon.
In the U90kg Jonathan Purssey came out well in what was initially a close contact fight, but after exciting exchange in ground work Mohammed El Assri from Morocco arm locked Purssey for 10 points who in turn was then defeated by Aschwanden the eventual Silver medallist who put Jonathan out of the competition.
Winston Gordon started out very well winning three of his fights. His first fight was with Glen Bolleboom of Netherlands who he threw with an okuri ashi barai. In his second fight he threw a Russian Khasanbi Taov for 10 points. In his third fight he threw a Lativian Jevgenija Borodavko for 10 points with a leg grap.
In the first semi-final in the U90kg Winston Gordon started well against Aschwanden, Double European champion and World Silver Medallist who initially incurred two penalties for passivity before unleashing two left-handed Sode Guruma for Warazi each to secure a place in the final.
In the fight for the Bronze Medal Winston met his fellow team mate Euan Burton who after a tactical fight ended the competition with the Bronze Medal. His contest went into golden score where Winston scored Yuko to take the Bronze Medal.
In the U81kg category James Gilmore made a purposeful start against Mikmail Kazydub who scored Ippon with first attack with a left Ko Uchi Gari.
Video footage from all the Judo competitionsin 2007 was filmed by Leonie and edited by Will and can be viewed via the following link: YouTube
Peter Blewett
Chief Instructor -The Budokwai
