Ishii wins All Japan open weight judo title, Olympic berth
The Associated Press
Published: April 29, 2008 TOKYO: Satoshi Ishii won his second All Japan Judo championship on Tuesday and a place on the Beijing Olympic team, while Olympic gold medalist Kosei Inoue fell by the wayside in the quarterfinals.
Ishii came out aggressively in the final, scoring waza-ari and yuko points within the first two minutes against defending title-holder Keiji Suzuki, a three-time champion. He then fought a defensive bout, trying to hold onto his lead as the clock ran out.
Though penalized for stalling, Ishii was too solid for Suzuki to budge and took his second title in three years.
"I'm embarrassed for winning this way," Ishii said, crying after the bout at Tokyo's Budokan arena. "I will try harder."
Beijing will be Ishii's first Olympics. He will represent the country in the over 100-kilogram division.
The Associated Press
Published: April 29, 2008 TOKYO: Satoshi Ishii won his second All Japan Judo championship on Tuesday and a place on the Beijing Olympic team, while Olympic gold medalist Kosei Inoue fell by the wayside in the quarterfinals.
Ishii came out aggressively in the final, scoring waza-ari and yuko points within the first two minutes against defending title-holder Keiji Suzuki, a three-time champion. He then fought a defensive bout, trying to hold onto his lead as the clock ran out.
Though penalized for stalling, Ishii was too solid for Suzuki to budge and took his second title in three years.
"I'm embarrassed for winning this way," Ishii said, crying after the bout at Tokyo's Budokan arena. "I will try harder."
Beijing will be Ishii's first Olympics. He will represent the country in the over 100-kilogram division.
Olympic star Kosei Inoue was defeated in the quarterfinals by Yohei Takai, who threw him with just seconds left and then pinned him for an "ippon" victory. The loss ended Inoue's hopes of competing in his third Olympic Games.
"It didn't go as I had hoped, but I have no regrets," Inoue said. Inoue, who is also a three-time world champion, won the gold in Sydney in 2000, in the 100-kilogram class. "I think this experience will be good for me."
Suzuki, who will represent Japan in the Olympics at 100 kilograms, earned his spot in the final with a deft sweep that took down Takai soon after their bout began.
Ishii defeated world champion Yasuyuki Muneta — who was seen as a favorite to represent Japan — in the other semifinal. Muneta and Takai shared the bronze.
The All Japan Judo Tournament, which is open class, was the final competition used in the selection of Japan's Olympic judo team. The Beijing Olympics begin Aug. 8.
All other weightclasses had already been filled.
Japan won a record eight gold medals in Athens.
"It didn't go as I had hoped, but I have no regrets," Inoue said. Inoue, who is also a three-time world champion, won the gold in Sydney in 2000, in the 100-kilogram class. "I think this experience will be good for me."
Suzuki, who will represent Japan in the Olympics at 100 kilograms, earned his spot in the final with a deft sweep that took down Takai soon after their bout began.
Ishii defeated world champion Yasuyuki Muneta — who was seen as a favorite to represent Japan — in the other semifinal. Muneta and Takai shared the bronze.
The All Japan Judo Tournament, which is open class, was the final competition used in the selection of Japan's Olympic judo team. The Beijing Olympics begin Aug. 8.
All other weightclasses had already been filled.
Japan won a record eight gold medals in Athens.
FONTE: International Herald Tribune - France
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