Judo players selected for Australia

Woy Woy Judo Club members Kayla Wells, 18, and Jordan Smith, 16, have been selected to represent Australia at this year's Oceania Judo Union Championships in Canberra next month.

Club publicity officer Ms Lindy Simmons said: "Kayla will attend the Australian Institute of Sport on August 6, with the senior team while Jordan will double his weekly training regime in preparation for the event.

"Jordan and Kayla also represented the State alongside Daniel Simmons at the Australian National Titles in Brisbane in early June.

"Daniel was unlucky not to make it through to the final playoff after defeating higher grades, while Kayla won a silver medal in both her divisions.

"Jordan Smith won a silver medal in the junior division but was knocked out of the men's after his opponent was defeated in the second bout.

"Still, two silver medals is a great result.

"Our club has achieved state representation every year since 1988."

Ms Simmons said Kayla Wells, Jordan Smith and Paul Sheean competed in the Kyu Grades Tournament recently.

"Kayla won the gold medal in the women's division, while Jordan had won two of his three bouts but had to pull out after injuring his elbow," Ms Simmons said.

"Paul Sheean won the bronze medal in men's division and we are very proud of our students.

"On June 27, Daniel Simmons was partnered by Jordan Smith in a formal Kata Grading for his first Black Belt (Sho Dan).

"The grading was held at Sydney Olympic Park sports hall in front of a panel of four grades examiners.

"Daniel received an overall score of 67 per cent for the Kata performance and was then judged on his knowledge of the sport, throwing and ground techniques plus refereeing rules.

"Daniel and Jordan gave a precision performance and Daniel received his grade.

"Woy Woy now has four instructors consisting of two first Dans, one fourth Dan and a fifth Dan chief instructor.

"One of our instructors, Mike Griffiths, travelled to Budapest in May.

"Mike represented Australia in the World Masters in the Under-77 kilogram division.

"Mike was unfortunate to suffer a shoulder injury at the end of his first contest against a Frenchman and had to withdraw from the competition.

"Mike is back on track and training and hopes to return to competition in August."

Anyone wishing to become involved in judo is welcome to contact Lindy Simmons on 0434 000 170.

Press release, 13 Jul 2010 Lindy Simmons, Woy Woy Judo Club