Three play judo in Queensland

Three senior members of Woy Woy Judo Club took part in the Queensland International Open in South Brisbane on March 27 and 28.

All three competitors progressed well into the competition showing outstanding sportsmanship and representation for the Peninsula, according to club publicity officer Ms Lindy Simmons.

Ms Simmons said the Queensland competition was a good opportunity to be selected for the National Training and Identification Program run by the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

"Sixteen-year-old Woy Woy member Jordan Smith will now attend the AIS this month after his great performance at the competition last month," Ms Simmons said.

"Jordan Smith, who holds a blue belt, entered in the junior men's Under-81kg division on the Saturday of competition in a field of 20.

"Unfortunately, he was defeated in his first fight but came back to win the bronze medal after two more bouts.

"Jordan backed up on the Sunday and entered the men's division along with club member Dan Simmons (brown belt) also in the Under-81kg category.

"Again there was a field of 20 competitors, where Jordan and Dan had drawn a bye in the first round.

"Jordan first defeated Aaron Kelly from Queensland.

"His next two bouts against older and more experienced black belts saw Jordan get some points on the board and, even though he didn't win, he did last the distance.

"Meanwhile, Dan showed dominance in his fight and was clearly in control when he initiated a strong sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi (drawing prop ankle throw) that spun his opponent toward the mat.

"The referee's decision on the landing was not to be in Dan's favour though and within the final minute Dan was thrown.

"Our third competitor Mike Griffith (black belt) competed in the Under-73kg veterans to take home the silver medal in a group of five players from Queensland and New Zealand.

"Mike defeated his first opponent inside the first two minutes with an ippon-seonage (shoulder throw) and was then then held down in his next bout in the gold medal playoff."

Lindy Simmons, Woy Woy Judo Club Press release, 8 Apr 2010