Bronze Medal for Marcon Bezzina in the Commonwealth Judo Championships

by di-ve.com

After beating Lisa Bradley, silver medalist in Manchester Commonwealth Games, on home ground during the 22nd Malta International Judo Open, Marcon packed her luggage and left for Bath University to start her preparation for her qualification for Beijing Olympic Games, thanks to the Olympic Solidarity Scholarship awarded to her by the Malta Olympic Committee.

Marcon arrived at Bath University on the 15th of May, and immediately started intensive preparation. On the same day, Jurgen Klinger, arrived from Germany at Bath University to take over the job as technical director of Team Bath.

Klinger started reviewing Marcon's physical preparation, and gave her intensive tests to take an idea of Marcon's physical state. He also prepared a program for Marcon to take her through the rest of the preparation, and the first event on the calendar was nonetheless, but the COMMONWEALTH JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS. These were to be held in Derry, North Ireland last weekend. Mike Cullan, on the request of the MJF, appointed Hidemi Soda, all Japan Champion, as her coach, one of the Japanese Instructors at Team Bath to accompany Marcon in the Championship. Accompanied by Hidemi she left Bath University and traveled all the way to Derry.

Marcon could not compete in her normal weight category, that of 57kgs, due to her present physical preparation and as she has not yet started peak training. Therefore weighing at 61kgs, she had to compete in a superior weight category, that of 63kgs. This was expected to create problems as she was to be faced by stronger opponents than she is normally used to.

Also this category is notoriously popular with Great Britain, who can field 4 athletes: North Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales; rather than 1 athlete from Great Britain. In fact, in her category there were originally 12 athletes, and probably, due to the strong number of athletes, 5 were cancelled, the strongest countries that of Canada, Wales, England, North Ireland, Scotland and New Zealand, remained to contest our Marcon Bezzina.

Marcon had an even more difficult draw as she was pooled against New Zealand National champion, Clutha Mahana, and Sarah Jones from Scotland. Therefore, while the rest had an opportunity to play 3 times in the pool of 4, Marcon only had two opportunities to prove her worth.

She was even the first to start the tournament, adding more pressure and excitement. However, Marcon stepped on the mat, convincingly in white judogi, and immediately started dominating Clutha Mahana, who showed her experience by blocking several attacks from Marcon. Marcon however still managed to score 2 yuko (5 points) and retained the control till the end, winning by superiority.

Marcon next had to face Sarah Jones. During a moment of distraction in the 4th minute, when both of them were still with no points, Marcon attacked and was countered for Ippon (10 points). After beating Marcon, Sarah Jones was still strong enough to beat the New Zealand girl, and Marcon and Sarah passed on to the final.

Here, Marcon had to face Kelly Roberts, English National Champion, in the semifinals. This meant if Marcon won, she would be competing for Gold or Silver. Marcon controlled Kelly Roberts and attacked continuously and accumulated another yuko (5 points) and was winning and taking control of the match. However, she was still looking for that Ippon (10 points) to close the match in her favour. Chin out, she attacked again Kelly Roberts with Sumi-gayeshi (throwing techniques). Kelly noticed her attack, and pulled her back to block her aggressive technique, and Marcon dropped on her back to block this counter.

The inexperienced National Referee interpreted this movement as a counter from the English side and gave Kelly a Wazaari (7 points). It was too late for Marcon to recuperate this large disadvantage in the few second left and Kelly Roberts won with 7 points against Marcon's 5 points.

Marcon had to be content with a bronze medal, still a very prestigious medal for Malta, considering Marcon only had 4 weeks preparation at Bath University. Well Done Marcon keep it up.

Fonte: di-ve.com - Malta - http://www.di-ve.com/