JUDO: Australia’s trio of judokas have not been able to secure a win at the prestigious World Masters event in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Katharina Haecker, Miranda Giambelli and Nathan Katz flew the flag for Australia at the competition that features the top 16 athletes in the world in each weight division.
Giambelli was defeated by Italy’s Assunta Galeone by Osaekomi-waza just over three minutes into her -78kg fight.
-63 fighter Haecker couldn’t overcome 11th ranked Tserennadmid Tsend-Ayush of Mongolia, losing by ippon 3:38 into the bout.
"It was great to get the chance to perform on such a big stage just befor the Games," said the 24-year-old.
"It wasn't a peak event for me and I felt a little bit tired after spending the last two and a half weeks in Japan. I had a tough fight against Mongolia's Tsend-Ayush. I made one mistake which caused a score against me and I spent the rest of the match running after it."
Australia’s only male representative Nathan Katz had a tough task against world number five Tomofumi Takajo of Japan. The -66kg fighter went down by ippon after 1:47.
While he didn’t get the desired result Katz felt the tournament was still a positive one for him.
“It was a huge experience competing with the very best in the world on a big stage in the final preparations for Rio,” said the 21-year-old.
“I had a difficult draw which was as expected at this event with the Japanese boy first round but I am confident moving forward with the right preparation that I can match the top boys in my weight moving into Rio.
“This event also highlighted a few fighters in particular who are going to be particularly strong in Rio and helped show exactly where all the top boys are a few months out from the Games.
“Obviously I am very disappointed in the result, but this experience will serve me well moving into Rio.”
Haecker, Giambelli and Katz are expected to be nominated for selection to the Australian Olympic Committee in what will likely be a team of seven Australia judokas for Rio.
Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au
