=============
NYO 2009
=============
This past Sunday the New York Athletic Club had their most successful NY Open Competition ever. I have long believed that the NY Open is the toughest international competition stateside, and possibly the Americas. The competition this weekend proved it.
There were full National teams, including past Olympic Champs, and World medalist. This has always been a tough tournament, but this year there were only four Americans in the Finals. Three wound up medaling, but none took Gold.
This was the first time I hadn’t competed in seven years or so. I have medaled five times, and won Gold twice. I have lost twice in the Finals and can tell you it is one of the worst feelings. Not only did you lose the competition, but you also lost $1000.
This weekend the highlight of the competition had to be Travis Stevens. He looked sharp and explosive and gave current Olympic Champ Ole Bischoff all that he could handle in the finals. I think Travis has a very good chance of not only making it to the 2012 Games, but making some waves if he continues to progress.
This has nothing to do with his matches against Ole, but due to the fact that he has a great coach in Jimmy Pedro with Team FORCE, and is tough as nails. If he can stay healthy and focused, we will see some big things from him.
I had the privilege of commentating the Finals for USA Judo’s Webcast along with Rhadi. It was an absolute blast. I might have a future in broadcasting.
The most disappointing part of the competition was I only saw 1-2 successful Morote Gari’s completed all day. It seems everyone is avoiding it due to the rule changes and unknowingly costing themselves a huge advantage. No Hand judo is still legal!
That must have been exciting. Too bad you didn’t have any successful Morote Gari’s completed (not that I really know what that is … lol). But maybe with the rule changes, it’s a great opportunity to do more educating so the athletes can learn more about those changes.