Nadine F. in action on the mat!

A beaming Nadine F. with her U.S. Open Champion win

From left to right: Harry G., Nadine F. Harley M., Maira V. and Coach John Fiege

Press release

8/2/2006

ATLANTIC BEACH JUDO PLAYER WINS JUNIOR NATIONALS AND U.S. OPEN!

On July 22 and 23, five of the junior players of Judo Ryu Jacksonvilles Competition Team participated in the USJF Junior National Championships held in Ft. Lauderdale. More than 400 athletes from all over the country competed in this event.

Nadine F. (9) from Atlantic Beach won the USJF National Title in the girls 9 & 10 years old division. Says Coach Fiege, "Nadine has taken a step to the elite national level. She has one more year in this division, but she's already strong in her age and weight group. She's also mentally strong, which allows her to execute her throws and pins even when she's behind in the fight. The training camp that followed the Nationals exposed her to world and Olympic caliber instructors and international opponents."

Four other juniors from the dojo at 1245 Mayport Rd. also fought really hard, barely missing medals. Samantha S. (14) and Harley M. (11) took 4th place in tough divisions. Harry G. (10) and Federico S. (10) didn't place, but put out a great effort.

The Junior U.S. Open, an international event featuring 800 athletes from countries as diverse as Ukraine, Great Britain, Columbia and Brazil, took place July 29 and 30 in the Convention Center in Ft. Lauderdale. Nadine won the US Open Title in the girls 9 & 10 years old. Maira V. (18) and Harley M. (11) placed 5th in their divisions.

Says Coach Fiege, "If you told me before the competitions that our dojo would win 2 titles, I would have been ecstatic. After coaching these great young talents, I think that with a bit more luck we could easily have doubled the number of medals. It has been a great experience for the kids and we've built a great foundation for more success in the future!"

Judo is the most practiced martial art worldwide. Judo has been an Olympic sport since 1964. It combines takedowns and throwing techniques with ground control and submissions, including chokes and pins.

For info on this press release or regular judo programs contact Coach Fiege at the Judo Ryu Jacksonville dojo at 

1245 Mayport Rd, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233. 

Call (904) 241-4112, email sensei@judojax.com or on the web at http://www.judojax.com.