Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2014 Judo

Glasgow, July 25, 2014: Glasgow 2014 Judo, The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games produced a gripping spectacle on the opening day at the SECC Hall on Thursday.

The three-day judo competition, which will feature 185 judoka from 35 countries, opened with the women’s -48kg, -52kg and -57kg categories and men’s -60kg and -66kg categories exciting fans at the teeming venue.

Judo has returned to the Commonwealth programme for the first time since Manchester 2002 and the sense of excitement and anticipation was visible on Thursday as judoka, officials and fans lapped up the warm Scottish welcome.

IJF Hall of Famer and 10th Dan Mr. George KERR CBE was among the special guests in attendance on day one and the Scot was more than encouraged by the opening day.

“Judo was one of biggest sports in terms of participation of nations in London 2012 and it’s crucial to build on this and constantly develop the sport in all nations,” said the former European champion.

“This growth has not just happened recently, this is the fruition of a long-term ideal by IJF President Mr. Marius VIZER.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the opening day, there’s been excitement, surprises and something for everyone. The presentation of the sport is key for judo to reach new audiences and I think that has been well taken care of here in Glasgow.”

England fielded judoka in four of the five categories and boasted a return of three gold medals and one silver to top the medal podium while hosts Scotland won two of the three women’s gold medals to secure second place.

On Friday, the high octane judo action continues in Glasgow as the women’s -63kg and -70kg categories along with the men’s -73kg and -81kg categories will enter the spotlight at the SECC Hall.

WOMEN: -48kg: Hosts Scotland strike first
Rome European Open bronze medallist Kimberley RENICKS (SCO) made the perfect start for Scotland as she won the first gold medal of the competition by defeating Junior Asian Championships bronze medallist Shushila LIKMABAM (IND). LIKMABAM impressed in the preliminary rounds but had to try and step up another level against RENICKS who initiated a wave of patriotic hope for Scotland. RENICKS brought the crowd to their feet by catching her opponent with a ko-uchi-gari for ippon after LIKMABAM had twice been penalised for going out of the area.

In the first semi-final contest LIKMABAM (IND) overpowered the plucky 17-year-old Oceania Championships winner Chloe RAYNER (AUS). LIKMABAM, who is part of a 14-strong Indian team, held down her teenage rival with a mune-gatame for ippon after two and a half minutes. In the second semi-final the home fans roared in approval as Kimberley RENICKS (SCO) surged past 2013 World Judo Championships competitor Onoh-Obasi OKEY (BAR) in just 39 seconds. London European Cup bronze medallist RENICKS won with a juji-gatame as OKEY had no choice but to submit.

The first bronze medal was awarded to Apia Oceania Open bronze medallist Amy MEYER (AUS) who saw off losing semi-finalist OKEY. The rivals, who were fighting to win the first judo medal of the Games, exchanged shido penalties and OKEY crucially conceded a shido final in the final minute for a false attack which left her with three shido penalties which was one more than MEYER. The second bronze medal was won by RAYNER who ensured a clean sweep of the -48kg bronze medals for Australia. RAYNER had the measure of 19-year-old Marcelle MONABANG (CMR) by a waza-ari score and never looked in danger as she doubled her country’s medal haul. Final Results

1. RENICKS, Kimberley (SCO)
2. LIKMABAM, Shushila (IND)
3. MEYER, Amy (AUS)
3. RAYNER, Chloe (AUS)
5. OKEY, Onoh-Obasi (BAR)
5. MONABANG, Marcelle (CMR)
7. CHINDELE, Abigail (ZAM)
7. KAVANAGH, Chanel (NZL)

-52kg: Double delight for Scotland’s RENICKS sisters
Buenos Aires Pan American Open silver medallist Louise RENICKS (SCO) doubled the gold medal tally of her nation and her family as she followed her sister and -48kg winner Kimberley RENICKS by winning the -52kg title against London 2012 Olympian Kelly EDWARDS (ENG). Louise RENICKS, 31, made it two successive gold medals for Scotland’s high-flying women by winning a tense battle of shido penalties. EDWARDS received two shido penalties for false attacks before both judoka were penalised for passivity. RENICKS infringed again for passivity and going out of the area before EDWARDS was disqualified for receiving a fourth and final shido for passivity in the closing seconds.

In the first semi-final RENICKS showed her grit by outworking Tashkent Grand Prix bronze medallist Kalpana THOUDAM (IND) with an industrious display. The Scottish fighter was unable to trouble the scoreboard but her superior workrate led her to victory as the highly-capable THOUDAM was penalised for a false attack and passivity while RENICKS was penalised once for a false attack. The second semi-final was a battle between former -48kg judoka and London 2012 Olympians Lisa KEARNEY (NIR) and Kelly EDWARDS (ENG). Port Louis African Open winner KEARNEY (NIR) was undone in golden score as EDWARDS (ENG) received the nod when her opponent received a shido for passivity after 81 seconds of added time.

The first bronze medal was clinched by KEARNEY who submitted San Salvador Pan American Open silver medallist Audree FRANCIS-METHOT (CAN). KEARNEY, who is based in Edinburgh, forced the 21-year-old Canadian to tap out to an armbar. The second bronze medal was won by THOUDAM who outfought African Championships silver medallist Christianne LEGENTIL (MRI) who finished seventh at the London 2012 Olympics. LEGENTIL was lethargic and lacked purpose which saw her receive two shido penalties for passivity and a third for a false attack while THOUDAM only infringed on two occasions.

Final Results

1. RENICKS, Louise (SCO)
2. EDWARDS, Kelly (ENG)
3. KEARNEY, Lisa (NIR)
3. THOUDAM, Kalpana (IND)
5. FRANCIS-METHOT, Audree (CAN)
5. LEGENTIL, Christianne (MRI)
7. MVA, Sinothando (RSA)
7. TROTTER, Hannah (AUS)

-57kg: England’s DAVIS stops Scotland and INGLIS
Madrid European Open winner Nekoda DAVIS (ENG) stopped Scotland’s quest to win all three women’s gold medals on day one by denying multiple-time European Cup medallist Stephanie INGLIS (SCO). DAVIS, 21, went ahead with a yuko and added a waza-ari from an uchi-mata before holding INGLIS with a kesa-gatame for 15 seconds to seal a fine victory by wazari-awasette-ippon.

In the first semi-final INGLIS resisted African Championships bronze medallist Paule SITCHEPING (CMR) in a cagey contest where both infringed repeatedly. SITCHEPING lost out as she received three shido penalties while INGLIS, whose fans held banners aloft all day long, was penalised twice. The second semi-final featured two of the most promising young judoka in the category as Cadet world champion Jessica KLIMKAIT (CAN) went toe-to-toe with Junior European Championships bronze medallist DAVIS. Both judoka failed to break the deadlock as their defensive prowess was on display. DAVIS pulled out the victory in golden score after two minutes of additional time as the Canadian received a shido for passivity.

The first bronze medal was won by 21-year-old Oceania Championships gold medallist Darcina MANUEL (NZL) who strangled 17-year-old KLIMKAIT to face the teenager to submit and concede the contest. The second bronze medal was won by Sarajevo European Cup silver medallist Connie RAMSAY (SCO) who held down SITCHEPING for 20 seconds and ippon after taking the lead with a yuko from a uki-goshi. The Cameroon fighter had started brightly by momentarily trapping the Scot to the tatami with a kami-shiho-gatame but RAMSAY escaped after just four seconds.

Final Results

1. DAVIS, Nekoda (ENG)
2. INGLIS, Stephanie (SCO)
3. MANUEL, Darcina (NZL)
3. RAMSAY, Connie (SCO)
5. KLIMKAIT, Jessica (CAN)
5. SITCHEPING, Paule (CMR)
7. SYLVA, Sarah (MRI)
7. POWELL, Kirsty (WAL)

MEN: -60kg: England’s MCKENZIE earns gold
Havana Grand Prix bronze medallist Ashley MCKENZIE (ENG) won Commonwealth Games gold with victory over a game Navjot CHANA (IND) in the -60kg final. England’s gold medal favourite MCKENZIE was pushed by CHANA in an eventful contest where both judoka traded scores and shido penalties. CHANA had three shido penalties to his name after just two minutes but responded by countering an ashi-waza attack to take the lead with a waza-ari. MCKENZIE maintained his composure and produced a waza-ari of his own as the contest was settled on shido penalties with only one against London’s leading light.

In the first semi-final former European bronze medallist MCKENZIE (ENG) bested Port Louis African Open runner-up Neuso SIGAUQUE (MOZ) by ippon. Explosive Englishman and gold medal favourite MCKENZIE had defeated wily Scottish technician John BUCHANAN (SCO) by yuko in a fascinating quarter-final which captivated the crowd. MCKENZIE and BUCHANAN, two of the best supported athletes in the competition, shared a heartfelt embrace in the centre of the tatami as their mutual respect was there for all to see. In the second semi-final Navjot CHANA (IND) threw Port Louis African Open winner Daniel LE GRANGE (RSA) for waza-ari and earned the same score by holding the South African down for 15 seconds to win by wazari-awasette-ippon.

The first bronze medal was claimed by BUCHANAN, 38, who had his very own tartan army wearing ‘Team Buchanan’ shirts in the stands. 2001 world bronze medallist BUCHANAN stepped out of a 10-year retirement last year to fight his way into contention for this event and completed a remarkable fairytale by defeating beaten semi-finalist LE GRANGE with an uchi-mata earning ippon after three minutes. The Scottish veteran celebrated with a backflip on the mat and holding the Scottish flag aloft to the delight of the home fans. The second bronze medal went to 26-year-old Razak ABUGIRI (GHA) from Accra who produced a clinical display as he went ahead with a waza-ari and sealed victory by ippon against an overwhelmed SIGAUQUE.

Final Result

1. MCKENZIE, Ashley (ENG)
2. CHANA, Navjot (IND)
3. BUCHANAN, John (SCO)
3. ABUGIRI, Razak (GHA)
5. LE GRANGE, Daniel (RSA)
5. SIGAUQUE, Neuso (MOZ)
7. AGUDOO, Dominic (GHA)
7. DODGE, Brandon (WAL)

-66kg: OATES makes it two from two for England’s men
Baku Grand Slam winner Colin OATES (ENG) had too much quality for Games of the Small States winner Andreas KRASSAS (CYP) in the -60kg final. OATES scored a yuko from a sumi-gaeshi after teasing a uchi-mata attack and, ever the opportunist, immediately worked an opening on the ground as he pulled back on the arm of KRASSAS who swiftly submitted.

In the first semi-final OATES, who will be fighting for Great Britain at August’s World Championships in Chelyabinsk, Russia, defeated his training partner and former British champion James MILLAR (SCO). OATES opened the scoring with a waza-ari and controlled MILLAR on the ground to pin him with a tate-shiho-gatame to win by wazari-awasette-ippon. In the second semi-final KRASSAS downed former African Championships bronze medallist Siyabulela MABULU (RSA) by a solitary yuko score to guarantee a medal for Cyprus.

The first bronze medal was won by beaten semi-finalist MABULU who returned to winning ways against Lusophony Games (teams from Portuguese-speaking countries and territories) bronze medallist Manjeet NANDAL (IND). MABULU won by shido penalties in a scoreless contest as NANDAL was held accountable for negative gripping and twice for passivity which was one more infringement than the winner.
The second bronze medal contest went the way of MILLAR as he defeated Mathews PUNZA (ZAM) who finished fifth at the 2013 African Championships. MILLAR, who was a late replacement for the injured -100kg fighter James AUSTIN, made his opportunity count by throwing the Zambian fighter for ippon with 47 seconds remaining.

Final Result
1. OATES, Colin (ENG). 2. KRASSAS, Andreas (CYP). 3. MABULU, Siyabulela (RSA)
3. MILLAR, James (SCO)
5. NANDAL, Manjeet (IND)
5. PUNZA, Mathews (ZAM)
7. LUZIA, Bruno (MOZ)
7. NAMA ETOGA, Dieudonne (CMR)
COMPETITION PROGRAMME. —- Photos © IJF Media – Jack Willingham