☆JUDO TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP ☆
SHOWDOWN WITH SIX TEAMS FROM
BRAZIL, CANADA, FRANCE, GERMANY, RUSSIA, USA
New York Open Team Judo Championship Sunday, March 3, 2013
See Judo World & Olympic Champions compete here in New York!
NEW YORK, NY – The New York Open Team Judo Championship will be a showdown of Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Russia and USA on Sunday, March 3, 2013, in NYC at the New York Athletic Club. The teams in the Judo tournament include some of the strongest players in the world, featuring World Champions and London 2012 Olympians. The tournament is sponsored by Film Annex, United Water and the New York Athletic Club.
The event begins at 10 am, followed by a Sambo demonstration by top Russian Sambo masters/ judo rules demonstration by two-time Olympian Taraje Murray.
At the event, US Olympian Kayla Harrison, Gold medalist; US Olympian Travis Stevens; and four-time Olympian Jimmy Pedro, Bronze medalist and 2012 Olympic coach will be honored.
Each team consists of five athletes in the following weight divisions: 66 kg, 73 kg, 81 kg, 90 kg and over 90 kg. Total prize money of $10,000 and a coveted champion's plaque is at stake: the winning team will receive the champion’s plaque and $7,000 to proudly bring back to their native country. Second place team will win $3,000.
Germany, the New York Open Team Champion for 2011 and 2012, is returning to defend their hard fought title. Team USA will be fighting to take revenge over their narrow loss in the final against Germany. Team France, the 2012 New York Open Bronze medal winner, is competing for the second time in the team event. Team Canada is always a tough challenger, and Team Brazil and Team Russia are power-packed and strong contenders in the quest for the Gold medal. The competition will be in a five-man team format utilizing a round robin format.
The coach of Team USA is Jimmy Pedro, Olympic medalist and 2012 US Olympic Judo team coach, and the coach of Team Canada is Nico Gill, Olympian and 2012 Canada Olympic Judo team coach. The coach of team Brazil is Ney Wilson Pereira da Silva, 2012 Brazil Olympic Judo team coach, and the coach of Team Germany is international champion Toni Lettner. The coach of Team France is international coach Maxime Nouchy, and the coach of Team Russia is Olympic medalist Alexsei Budõlin.
Team Judo is considered to be the most exciting in the world to watch, and cheering for your favorite country is encouraged. Fans wave country flags and root for players, rocking the room with energy and good-natured rivalry, and at this event a live commentator calling the action on the mat and a DJ all add to the spirited atmosphere.
The judo tournament will be held at the New York Athletic Club, located at 180 Central Park South on the 6th floor. All spectators are welcome, and tickets can be purchased for $25 at the door for general seating, $85 for VIP seating. The tournament action will begin at 10 am and finals at 4 pm.
For more information about the New York Open Team Judo Championship, visit http://www.newyorkopenjudo.com or facebook.com/NewYorkOpenJudo.
About Judo
Judo debuted as an official Olympic sport in 1964 and is practiced by millions of people throughout the world today. Kayla Harrison won the first gold medal in judo for the United States at the 2012 Olympic Games. The discipline of Judo is a Japanese martial art and combat sport that originated in Japan in the late nineteenth century. Best known for stunning throws, Judo also involves much grappling on the ground like wrestling, using controlled holds, pins and arm locks.
Judo, translated as "gentle way," teaches balance, leverage and flexibility in performing throws and other skills, and helps to develop complete body control and fast reflexive action. Skill, technique and timing, rather than brute strength, are the essential ingredients for success in this sport. Worldwide, over 20 million people practice judo, with all age groups, both sexes and disabled persons all able to participate in learning and practicing in the sport.
Judo develops self-discipline and respect for oneself and others, and helps teach self-confidence, concentration and leadership skills. It's no coincidence that several world leaders have also studied Judo, including Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, former Prime Minister of Canada Pierre Trudeau, former U.S. Senator of Colorado, Olympian Ben Campbell, and former President Theodore Roosevelt, as well as many celebrity judo practitioners, including director Guy Ritchie, actors Chuck Norris, James Cagney and Peter Sellers.
Watching a Judo Competition
After a ceremonial bow, each judo match begins with each opponent grabbing each other by collars and sleeve of the judo uniform, the judogi. The objective of the match is to score an "ippon," which wins the match – this is akin to a knockout in boxing or a pin in wrestling. Scoring an ippon can occur from a) throwing the opponent to the ground so he lands on his shoulder or back; b) pinning him to the ground on his back for a length of time; or c) subduing him in a choke, strangle hold or armlock. Any of these score ippon and win the match. Although an ippon is the objective, there are also partial points scored during the match. Points can be awarded when a variety of throws or blocks are successfully accomplished. At the end of the match, the highest quality score wins.
About Film Annex
Film Annex, an official sponsor of the event, is an online film distribution platform and Web TV Network with over 250,000 users and 1.5 million viewers a day. The company creates free Web TV channels for content providers and supports them financially through an ad-revenue sharing model. A meeting point for filmmakers, film festivals, film enthusiasts, companies, and organizations, Film Annex educates and entertains audiences by making meaningful, diverse, and high-quality films available to a global audience. Film Annex also supports athletes and Olympic sports like Judo and Fencing. For more information about Film Annex, visit www.filmannex.com.
About United Water
United water is a division of Suez Environment. The company focuses on protecting our environment and serving the community, Today and tomorrow. We know the two go hand in hand. That’s why everything we do is focused on what you need today while we plan and prepare for what the world might need tomorrow. Clean water. A healthy Earth. For your small corner of the world and for the global community. Every day we’re your vital resource, providing stewardship of our most vital natural resources. For more information, visit www.unitedwater.com.
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CONTACT: Carrie Gray, New York Open Judo
PHONE: (516) 967-4729
EMAIL: publicity.judo@gmail.com
www.newyorkopenjudo.com
