Gold, Silver, Bronze at Oceania Championships-
SAJA athletes return with medal haul
20 August 2010
Four athletes from the South Australian Judo Academy represented Australia at the Oceania Judo Championships, held in Canberra on the 14th and 15th of August.
Michael Barks and Leah Uncle fought valiantly, both going down in matches lasting the full duration and decided on minor points.
Courtney Barks was the first to reach the podium. Beginning the day in the Cadet (under 17 years) age category, she powered through to the final of the 57kg class where after full time and golden score the match was a tied event. Referees awarded Barks the gold medallist and Oceania Champion, defeating fellow Australian Croton in a 2-1 decision.
Barks then returned in the Junior Women (under 20 years) division, where she quickly dispatched of Dekkers (NZ) to claim a bronze medal.
The event offered vital experience for both C.Barks and Uncle, who have been selected to represent Australia at the upcoming Junior World Championships.
Australian Olympian Steve Brown was entered in the -66kg category as Australia’s number 1 ranked player. The event was Brown’s first entry in a qualifying event for London 2012.
Brown drew Kirby (NZ) first round, but tragedy struck just 1 minute into the fight with Brown suffering a dislocated shoulder. Unable to relocated the shoulder he fought on, until he threw his opponent for Ippon (technical knockout) half way through the bout.
After the win doctors spent time relocating the joint, after which Brown decided to continue to compete, drawing Ovinou (PNG) in the semi final.
Brown fought a strategic match, gaining a minor score early in the match. At the half way point of the 5 minute match the shoulder again re-dislocated, unable to relocated it he continued to work through the match, gaining another minor score and eventually awarded winner of the fight.
Doctors worked feverishly to relocate the joint and after some time were successful, but conceded that the day was over for Brown. Withdrawing from the final match he had to be content with a silver medal but more importantly walk away with vital points towards the London Olympic Games.
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