'Epoki steps closer to Olympic Qualification12 Nov 2007, 18:10
Nuku'alofa, Tonga: 'EPOKI FAKA'OSI beat Australia's No. 3 in the Men-90kg to win a Bronze medal at the Oceania Judo Union Open World Cup during the weekend in Perth, Western Australia.Lennie Niit from the Tonga Judo Club hailed the victory as "one step closer to an Olympic qualification."Lennie said that 'Epoki's first fight of the tournament was against Australia's No. One Daniel Kelly. "It was a very tough and hard fought contest where unfortunately 'Epoki broke few fingers and had to continue fight with this injury untreated. In the end he lost to Kelly who went on to fight all the way to the Gold medal."Despite this finger injury Epoki succeeded to fight his way to bronze medal fight where he threw for Ippon (knock out) Australia's number 3 and thereby won the Bronze medal."This outstanding result, soon after the Gold Medal in the South Pacific Games, now place 'Epoki firmly amongst the top three contenders for the Oceania Olympic Qualification to the 2008 Beijing Olympics."Lennie said that the final qualification tournament for Oceania will be the Oceania Judo Union Championships in New Zealand early 2008 where 'Epoki hope to be able to participate. "His participation, and quality of preparation, will hinge on whether economic support can be found since so far most of his effort has been paid for by himself but it is getting difficult with a wife and 3 young children." FONTE: Matangi Tonga - Nuku'alofa,Tonga
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