Cuba Judo Gets First Gold at PanAm

Cuba Judo Gets First Gold at PanAm

Rio de Janeiro, Jul 19 (Prensa Latina) Cuban judo athlete Oscar Braison got the first gold medal in the 2007 Pan American Games judo competitions, in the male super-heavyweight division (over 100 kg) despite the indifference of the referees in the final match to his fighting actions, and the local hostility.
In the Thursday finals, Braison defeated Brazilian athlete Joao Schlitter by judges' vote, since none of the two contenders got points during the regular time, or even in extra time.
Braison started the match quite aggressively, trying to grab his contender, who was completely supported by the fans in the Riocentro Sports Complex in Rio de Janeiro.
"I trained the entire year for this result. I scored twice and the arbiter did not validate them," said Braison while he was celebrating his victory with his team mates.
The audience at the Riocentro Sports Complex booed the decision, but several judokas consulted by Prensa Latina said the victory for Braison was fair because Schlitter was not successful in any attack, and he even had some penalties pardoned by the ref and judges.
Braison said he did not feel pressured by the audience, and he fought right to the end.

IN Prensa Latina - Havana, Cuba - http://www.plenglish.com/