JUDO: St. Leger Beats World Medalist Olson on First Day of Senior Nationals
April 11, 2008

For Immediate Release April 11, 2008 Contact: Nicole Jomantas, 719.271.9937 (cell) Nicole.Jomantas@usajudo.us (Virginia Beach, Va.)-Garry St. Leger (Brooklyn, N.Y. / NYAC / Legrossports) made it clear that the Olympic comeback of former World medalist Brian Olson (Boulder, Colo. / NYAC / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center) isn't a foregone conclusion when he threw Olson for ippon (instant win) in the first minute of their 90kg final at the USA Judo Senior National Championships on Friday. The Senior Nationals, which continue on Saturday at the Virginia Beach Convention Center with the men's and women's light and Open divisions, are the final opportunity for athletes to qualify for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Judo, June 13-14 in Las Vegas. Olson, a three-time Olympian who returned from his 2004 retirement six months ago, struggled throughout the day, narrowly advancing to the finals after semifinal win by a late yuko (quarter point) over 2007 National Champion Rick Hawn (Wakefield, Mass. / USA Judo National Team FORCE). St. Leger now has defeated Olson twice after winning their last match at the Rendez-Vous Canada in October."I wasn't worried,"St. Leger said."I had a little confidence going in because I'd beaten him before, but I knew it was still going to be tough because he remembers that match too."6 The win moves St. Leger into the #1 seed heading into the Trials."It's a great confidence booster going into Trials,"said St. Leger."It feels good to win, but I also know I'll be training as hard as everyone else between now and then, if not harder.