Judo Ryu Jacksonville Team at 2005 US Judo Championships

Judo champ: Jacksonville Beach native Greg DiFranza won his third consecutive national title at the 2005 USA Judo National Championships April 22-24 in Virginia Beach, Va. DiFranza overcame a leg injury to win all three of his matches in the Men's Masters 45-49-year-old heavyweight division on his way to the gold medal.

Other members of the Judo Ryu Jacksonville Competition Judo Team were also big winners in the event, which drew nearly 700 competitors from around the world. John Fiege took home the bronze medal in the Men's Masters 35-39-year-old/under 100 kg division, Robert Santiago, who won the gold medal in the Florida State Championships on April 9 in Miami, won the bronze medal in the Men's Masters 30-34-year-old/over 100 kg division, and David Berlin won the silver medal in the Men's Masters 50-54-year-old/over 100 kg division. Hiram Cruz also fought brilliantly in a very tough Men's 60 kg division after a two-year hiatus from the competition.

The competitors will be training to compete in the upcoming 2005 World Master Athlete Judo Championships in Toronto June 23-26. DiFranza, a retired Jacksonville Sheriff's Office policeman, will also be traveling to Quebec immediately following the Toronto tournament to represent this area and the United States in the 2005 World Police and Fire Games.

Judo is an Olympic sport that involves throws, pins, chokes and arm locks, and claims the largest participation in martial arts throughout the world, while being the safest contact sport for children under the age of 13, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. The Gentle Way Martial Arts and Health Center has recently moved to 1245 Mayport Road, Atlantic Beach. For information on classes, contact Fiege at 241-4112 or visit www.gentleway.com.