EBJI Students shine at Junior Nationals

Several students from the East Bay Judo Institute in El Cerrito, CA, won national honors through their performances at the 2001 U.S. Judo Federation Jr. and Youth National Championships held 14-15 July 2001 in Monterey, CA.

Jessica Hsieh, 16, went 2-1 before she had to withdraw from competition with an injury. The match she would have competed in was for the silver medal. Instead, Jessica settled from the Bronze medal in the Female Juvenile B under 48kg division.

Dale Hata, 12, went 5-1 in the Male Intermediate under 49kg division, losing in the gold medal match by the narrowest of margins. Dale came back to win the silver medal match, thereby garnering his first medal in national competition.

Marija Djokic, 16, went 3-1 in the Female Juvenile C under 63 kg division, losing in the gold medal match by a decision to her rival Cindy Imai from Los Angeles. Marija came back to win the silver medal handily.

Newcomer Marti Mallow, 15, went 4-0 to take the gold medal in the Female Juvenile B under 57 kg division. Her final match included a come-from-behind win with uchimata for wazari, or half-point, to seal her victory.

Stephanie Hata, 16, went 2-0 to take the gold medal in the Female Juvenile C under 48 kg division. This was Stephanie’s third consecutive gold medal in this national competition, and she adds it to her silver medal performance at the 2001 U.S. High School National Championships, her gold medal performance at the 2001 U.S. Senior National Championships, and her gold medal performance at the 2001 Gothenberg International Invitational Championships in Sweden.

The East Bay Judo Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to the teaching of Kodokan Judo. Classes are held Mondays through Saturdays, and are taught by Dr. David Matsumoto. For more information on class schedules, contact the EBJI at 510-237-0607 or visit their website at www.ebji.org.