The United States national judo champions will be crowned in Daytona Beach this weekend
The pinnacle of competition for Olympic hopefuls, the Senior National Championships will draw athletes from across the United States in the first major national senior event of the 2022 season.
Top athletes to watch in senior events include:
Maria Laborde (Kenosha, Wis./Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center/48kg), 2014 Senior World Bronze Medalist for Cuba and 2022 Senior Pan American Championships Bronze Medalist for Team USA
Brad Bolen (North Charleston, SC/Aspire Judo/73kg), six-time Senior National Champion and 2020 Senior Pan Am Champion
Mariah Holguin (San Antonio, Texas / Universal Judo / 57kg), 2021 Senior National Champion and 2022 Senior Pan American Championships Bronze Medalist
Jeanette Hong (Fort Lee, NJ / Fort Lee Judo / 52 kg), 2021 Senior National Champion
Chantal Wright (San Antonio, Texas / Judo Semper Fortis / 70 kg), two-time senior national champion and two-time bronze medalist at the senior Pan American championships
Christian Konoval (Rockport, TX/NYAC/Becerra Judo/+100kg), 2022 Senior Pan American Bronze Medalist and two-time World Junior Team member
Nicole Stout (Schenectady, NY / Jason Morris Judo Center / 78 kg), 2021 Senior National Champion and 2017 Senior World Team member
Mackenzie Williams (El Lago, TX / Westlake Judo Club / +78kg), 2017 Senior National Champion and 2019 Senior World Team Member
Nick Yonezuka (West Long Branch, NJ / NYAC / Cranford Judo & Karate Center / 81 kg), 2021 Senior National Champion and 2021 World Junior Team Member
Melissa Myers (Burnt Hills, NY / Jason Morris Judo Center / 70 kg), 2021 Senior National Champion and 2015 World Junior Team member
Nick Rodriguez (Lehigh Acres, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center / 73 kg), two-time Pan American Junior Medalist and member of the 2021 World Junior Team
Tasha Cancela (Coral Springs, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center / 57kg), two-time Pan American Junior Medalist and 2021 World Junior Team member
Alexander Knauf (Yorkville, Ill./NYAC/Cohen Brothers Judo/90kg), two-time Pan American Junior Medalist and 2021 World Junior Team member
Nicole Cancela (Coral Springs, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center / 52 kg), two-time Junior Pan American medalist and 2022 Cadet Pan American champion
Harlee Hiller (Evanston, Ill. / Cohen Brothers Judo / 48 kg), 2022 Junior Pan Am Silver Medalist and 2022 Cadet Pan Am Silver Medalist
Danielle Pekler (Prairie View, Ill./Cohen Brothers Judo/57kg), 2022 Junior Pan American Games silver medalist
Shavon Gonzalez (West Palm Beach, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center / 70kg), 2022 Junior Pan American Games bronze medalist and two-time Cadet Pan American Games medalist
Jacob Yang (Los Angeles, CA / LA Judo Club / 66 kg), 2022 Junior Pan Am Bronze Medalist and 2022 Cadet Pan Am Bronze Medalist
Jack Yonezuka (West Long Branch, NJ / Cranford Judo & Karate Center / 66 kg), 2020 Junior Pan Am Silver Medalist, 2021 World Junior Team Member
Athletes will also compete in veteran events (age groups 30-80+) as well as kata (forms), brown belt, novice and IJF-Junior events, all competitions taking place in the Ocean Center arena.
This year will mark the first time the Senior Nationals will be held in Daytona Beach – a city known for hosting the Daytona 500, but which is also the site of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Varsity Spirit’s National Cheerleaders Association and the National Dance. Alliance. Collegiate National Championship, the College Basketball Invitational, JVC-Nike DB 100 Volleyball and the 2022 USA Taekwondo East Regional Grand Prix.
“We are thrilled to be able to host the Senior Nationals in a city that is both an exceptional location and a rich tradition of excellent sporting events,” said Corinne Shigemoto, Director of Memberships and Events for American Judo. “Our partners at the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Ocean Center and the Plaza Resort Hotel have all been exceptional to work with and I know they are eager to help deliver a first class event for the family. and showcasing American Judo, our sport to the Daytona Beach community.
All competitions are open to the public. Spectator admission on Saturday is $12 per day for those 13 and older, $6 per day for children 9-12, and free for children 8 and under. Entry to the kata competition is free on Sundays.
“Being able to host premier events such as the 2022 U.S. National Judo Championships creates a positive impact on our local economy,” said Lori Campbell Baker, Executive Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. of the Daytona Beach area. “With a spectacular venue in the Ocean Center, high quality accommodations and a plethora of activities to enjoy, competitors and their families and friends will have a great experience visiting our destination.”
For more information or to request media accreditation, contact Nicole Jomantas, Director of Communications, Marketing and Development for Judo USA at [email protected]
About the Daytona Beach Area | #LoveDaytonaBeach
Experience endless adventures in this eclectic destination that offers the perfect beach base camp from which to explore the greater Daytona Beach area and all of Central Florida. Choose thrilling activities or enjoy the tranquility of days spent on 23 miles of world famous white sand beaches. With more than 12,000 rooms and a variety of meeting hotels and unique spaces, the destination offers accommodations for meetings and groups of all sizes and budgets. Learn more at DaytonaBeach.com. #LoveDaytonaBeach
About American Judo
A 501-c-3 non-profit organization based in Colorado Springs, USA. Judo is the national governing body for the sport of judo in the United States. USA Judo serves over 10,000 members each year, including athletes, coaches, referees, volunteers and supporters. A proud member organization of the International Judo Federation, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and the International Blind Sports Association, USA Judo’s mission is to enable all American athletes to achieve sustained competitive excellence in national competitions. and international judo, as well as the promotion and growth of the sport of judo in the United States.
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