Joy gets Beijing boost
by John Hill
Wednesday, 15 August, 2007
JUDO
by John Hill
Wednesday, 15 August, 2007
JUDO
JOY Williams exceeded all expectations when she won gold and silver medals at the Taipai international open and Pacific Rim champs at Macau.
"It’s given me a huge confidence boost for the world champs in Brazil in two weeks," said the 24-year-old, who won her medals in the under-63 kilogram class.
"This is the first of three qualifying tournaments for next year’s Olympics.
"There’s such a big step up from the Pac Rims and the Taipei open to the world champs I’ve no chance of winning a medal and that’s being realistic.
"But if I can get into the top seven to nine it would automatically qualify me for the Beijing Olympics."
With up to 40 judoka in each category at the worlds, Williams said she hoped to avoid girls from Japan, France, Germany or Cuba, "at least in the early rounds".
"They’re way above everyone else but after these latest results I’m more confident than the last time I fought at the world champs."
Williams lost in the first round of the 2005 competition in Cairo, Egypt.
"I was completely overwhelmed. This time I’m more confident. I’ve got another two years experience and are better able to manage it."
Williams said being able to spend two weeks training in Brazil before the world champs was a major plus.
"I’ll be going over with Esther (Velloza) and Tim Brew from the club (Gisborne Judo Club).
"Esther lived and trained in Sao Paulo and her husband Joao is from there. She’ll visit relatives and we’ll all train with her old club. It’s good having someone who knows their way around and can speak the language.
"Esther (the last local judoka to win a medal at the Pacific Rims champs, a bronze) and Tim will also be in Rio de Janeiro for the world champs."
"What Esther did in winning medals at the Pac Rims was a huge achievement and incentive for the rest of us."
Williams, who raised the bar with her silver, had an easy start to the Pacific Rim champs when her opponent from Macau withdrew. "I then had a close fight against a girl from China before winning with 30 seconds left. The Asian fighters tend to be faster and stronger than Europeans who adopt a more wrestling style of judo."
Williams fought a Chinese Taipei girl in the final.
"I started well but then it was just like I was hanging in before getting thrown, about 90 seconds into the fight."
From Macau it was on to the Taipei open where Williams upset all the odds to win gold.
"I beat a girl from Hong Kong convincingly but had to work harder in the second round against a Chinese Taipei fighter.
"I had an easier fight in the semifinal against a girl from Thailand, putting me into the final against another Chinese Taipei fighter. I was really nervous but that’s a good sign for me. I had throws for a three-point score and then seven points.
"With two minutes left I had her in a defensive position and unlocked her before she tapped out."
FONTE: Gisborne Herald - Gisborne, New Zealand
"It’s given me a huge confidence boost for the world champs in Brazil in two weeks," said the 24-year-old, who won her medals in the under-63 kilogram class.
"This is the first of three qualifying tournaments for next year’s Olympics.
"There’s such a big step up from the Pac Rims and the Taipei open to the world champs I’ve no chance of winning a medal and that’s being realistic.
"But if I can get into the top seven to nine it would automatically qualify me for the Beijing Olympics."
With up to 40 judoka in each category at the worlds, Williams said she hoped to avoid girls from Japan, France, Germany or Cuba, "at least in the early rounds".
"They’re way above everyone else but after these latest results I’m more confident than the last time I fought at the world champs."
Williams lost in the first round of the 2005 competition in Cairo, Egypt.
"I was completely overwhelmed. This time I’m more confident. I’ve got another two years experience and are better able to manage it."
Williams said being able to spend two weeks training in Brazil before the world champs was a major plus.
"I’ll be going over with Esther (Velloza) and Tim Brew from the club (Gisborne Judo Club).
"Esther lived and trained in Sao Paulo and her husband Joao is from there. She’ll visit relatives and we’ll all train with her old club. It’s good having someone who knows their way around and can speak the language.
"Esther (the last local judoka to win a medal at the Pacific Rims champs, a bronze) and Tim will also be in Rio de Janeiro for the world champs."
"What Esther did in winning medals at the Pac Rims was a huge achievement and incentive for the rest of us."
Williams, who raised the bar with her silver, had an easy start to the Pacific Rim champs when her opponent from Macau withdrew. "I then had a close fight against a girl from China before winning with 30 seconds left. The Asian fighters tend to be faster and stronger than Europeans who adopt a more wrestling style of judo."
Williams fought a Chinese Taipei girl in the final.
"I started well but then it was just like I was hanging in before getting thrown, about 90 seconds into the fight."
From Macau it was on to the Taipei open where Williams upset all the odds to win gold.
"I beat a girl from Hong Kong convincingly but had to work harder in the second round against a Chinese Taipei fighter.
"I had an easier fight in the semifinal against a girl from Thailand, putting me into the final against another Chinese Taipei fighter. I was really nervous but that’s a good sign for me. I had throws for a three-point score and then seven points.
"With two minutes left I had her in a defensive position and unlocked her before she tapped out."
FONTE: Gisborne Herald - Gisborne, New Zealand
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