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Kossor & Vashkulat Win National Titles !


Myrtle Beach, SC -

SCCC students Nick Kossor (24) and Kyle Vashkulat (19) from the Jason Morris Judo Center (JMJC) in Glenville, NY captured National titles over the weekend in dominant fashion winning all their matches by ippon (full-point). Kossor entered the event as the #4 seed which meant he had to win the event to qualify for the the world team which competes in Tokyo, Japan September 8-13, 2010. Kossor won his first two matches with varied techniques to set up a semi final showdown with #1 Aaron Kunihiro. Kossor took the advantage at the very beginning and never looked back throwing Kunihiro with a foot sweep for the first score then blasted his nemesis with a big uchimata (inner leg throw) for ippon to advance to his fourth straight 60kg National final. The final was an anticlimactic affair with Kossor dominating the bout very cautiously against a young and up and coming Everet Desilets. Desilets committed a penalty for grabbing the pant leg and was disqualified giving Kossor his second National title to add to the one he won in 2008. This result also earned Kossor his first World team berth. This comes as a great triumph as Nick has waited a long time for this opportunity as he had to overcome missing almost three total years due to two ACL reconstruction surgeries on both knees and a wrist injury.

Vashkulat breezed to to his second straight 100kg final winning all his matches by ippon. Myles Porter was his opponent in the final but didn't fare any better as Vashkulat buried him with ouchigari in the first two minutes to claim his first 100kg title. Vashkulat had already wrapped up a slot on the world team due to his #1 ranking. This result was Kyle's third National medal at 100kg. He also has two medals in the OPEN category including a gold in 2008.
The JMJC picked up four bronze medals and a fifth place finish as well. Natalie Lafon (29) recovered from a devastating first round defeat to win four straight matches to claim a bronze making this her third straight medal performance. Lafon's loss to eventual champ Anjelica Delgado was very controversial as Lafon was winning in dominant fashion up by a waza-ari (half-point) and two yukos (1/4 points). With one second remaining the official gave Lafon her fourth stalling penalty and was disqualified. The JMJC staff protested to no avail. This was her first medal at 52kg. She won the title in 2008 at 48kg.

Union College FreshmanAngela Creutzberger (19) won her third straight 48kg bronze medal losing only to rival Katlyn Bouysou in the semis. SCCC student Tony Sangimino (19) had himself a great day winning his first National medal taking a bronze at 90kg. Sangimino's only loss came in the quarterfinals to many time National medal winner Aaron Cohen in a hotly contested battle. This result moves Tony into a career high #4 ranking at 90kg on the US roster. UAlbany student Hannah Martin (21) closed out the JMJC medal count picking up a bronze at 57kg. This was Hannah's fifth straight trip to the National podium. Jake Stromecki (20) placed 5th at the OPEN wight category and took seventh in 100kg. Veteran Bill Shanahan (40) impressively hung with the kids and took seventh place at 73kg with a 3-2 record and newcomer Cammi Kaichi (22) placed seventh at 57kg in her first time competing at the Nationals.


The Jason Morris Judo Center has now won an astounding total of 58 medals at the Nationals including 18 Gold in the JMJC's 10 year history. Next up for the JMJC will be the Morris Cup which it is hosting for the 9th year and will be held at the Burnt Hills High School starting at 9:30am Saturday, May 8, 2010.
 

Group Photo: Standing L to R: Bill Shanahan, Tony Sangimino, Jake Stromecki, Kyle Vashkulat, Brad Bolen. Kneeling L to R: Angela Creuztberger, Natalie Lafon, Nick Kossor, Hannah Martin, Cammi Kaichi at the Judo National Championship venue the
Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel

Photo: Nick Kossor (Left) & Kyle Vashkulat

New !   JMJC Booster Club Newsletter #1 New !

San Salvador, El Salvador -

Brad Bolen, a 21-year old from the Glenville, NY-based Jason Morris Judo Center competing on the US Seniors judo team for the first time stunned the international field of 66kg players when he won the gold medal at this weekend’s Pan American Championships with four straight victories. Bolen was the only American to capture gold this year and become the third ever Pan Am Champ for the JMJC joining Carrie Chandler (2005) and Travis Stevens (2007 Pan Am Games).

In his first match Bolen did himself a favor by disposing of Jose Gonzales (HON) for ippon (instant win) in roughly one minute. Bolen then threw Israel Verdugo (ECU) for wazari and was leading comfortably before Verdugo panicked and forfeited the match with an illegal leg grab. That put Bolen in the semi-finals against Venezuela’s Ricardo Valderrama. Valderamma had just upset prohibitive favorite Leandro Cunha of Brazil. As Cunha had handed Bolen a defeat less than two months ago in Panama City Bolen recognized that this sem-final match was his major test of the day. He surprisingly received a walkover (instant win) in the semis. Then in the finals, against a home crowd rooting for El Salvador’s Carlos Figueroa, Bolen wasted little time in skying Figueroa with a gorgeous uchi mata for ippon (instant win).

Bolen’s JMJC teammate Kyle Vashkulat (19), a Burnt Hills graduate and current SCCC student competing on his second Senior Pan Am Team, earned a bronze medal in the 100kg division. Vashkulat started his day sluggishly with an uncharacteristic loss by pin in the final minute to Mexico’s Sergio Garcia (MEX). Vashkulat (a two-time Junior World Team member) took his frustration out on US Open silver medalist, Carlos Santiago (PUR) with anippon win. Vashkulat found himself fighting for bronze in a rematch of his 2009 Rendez-Vous Canada final’s victory against veteran Scott Edward (CAN) in Montreal. This time Edward fought Vashkulat even for 4:58 with Vashkulat down by two penalties. Vashkulat used his final two seconds wisely as he caught the Canadian Edward for ippon in dramatic fashion. In claiming his first Pan Am medal. Bolen & Vashkulat join five other JMJC alumni to win a Pan Am medal.

Providence, RI –

Thirty athletes of various ages from the Glenville, NY-based Jason Morris Judo Center (JMJC) brought home 16 total medals including 5 Gold from the Ocean State International Judo Tournament Saturday March 20, 2010.

SCCC Student Nick Kossor (24) led the way with a spectacular performance going 4-0 including a booming throw in the final against the bracket’s #1 seed Canadian judo star Joel Benoit. Kossor’s aerial display earned him the 66kg title along with a $250 first prize. JMJC teammate Brad Bolen (21) joined Kossor on the 66kg podium securing a bronze losing only to Benoit in the semis.

UAlbany junior Hannah Martin (21) turned in her best performance in a year taking the 63kg crown in a very strong field that included US #1 Janine Nakao. Martin posted a 4-0 record on her way to collecting her $250 1st place check. The 52kg. women’s division provided intrigue and upsets as JMJC’s Natalie Lafon (29) engaged in another in a long series of epic struggles against wunderkid Katelyn Bouyssou (15). Natalie gave no ground and wore Boussyou down but couldn’t put her away and after five minutes of regulation and 2 minutes of overtime the match went to the judges who awarded the match to Bouyssou.

Playing on her home turf Bouyssou appeared confident against her next opponent -- Lafon’s JMJC teammate and Union College freshman Angela Creutzberger (19). Cruetzberger smashed Bouyssou for ippon (full point) and in the process Angela ended a personal two-year losing streak against her long-time rival, Bouyssou. It could be said that Creutzberger benefited from teammate Lafon’s earlier 7-minute failed effort against ’09 national champ Bouyssou. Amanda Galib (13) displayed a combination of strength and technique to take a gold medal in the 13-14yrs. 48kg division. JMJC's Laura Galib (12) and Victoria Ferrante (12) took a silver and a bronze, respectively, to make the 13-14yr-old 48kg category a JMJC sweep.

Christie Woosley (17) picked up a gold in the 17-19yrs. 70kg weight class then SCCC student Cammi Kaichi (22) turned in her best performance to date taking a silver in the 57kg weight class with a 4-1 mark. SCCC student Kyle Vashkulat (19) looked poised to take the 100kg gold as he was dominating the final against long-time rival Shintaro Higashi when the veteran Higashi called on his experience and pulled a foot sweep on an unsuspecting Vashkulat to win the bout and leave Kyle out of the money with a silver. UAlbany senior Jake Stromecki (20) put in another workmanlike performance to join Vashkulat on the podium with a bronze medal. Stromecki also fell to Higashi.

Seth Woosley (10) took a silver in the 9-10yrs. 50kg division and Jonah Burt (15) from Upper Canada Judo Club (but fighting with the JMJC team) also took silver in the 15-16yr-old 81kg weight class. Zach Burt (16) also from Upper Canada won a bronze in the 17-19yrs. 73kg division displaying excellent technique on the way. Burnt Hills High sophomore Harrison Hatton (16) closed out the JMJC medal haul taking a bronze in the 17-19yrs. 66kg division. JMJC associate instructor and Clifton Park resident Billy Shanahan (40) went 3-2 on the day and finished without a medal in a deep 73kg division where his opponents were twenty years younger.

However, prodded by coach Jason Morris at mat side, Shanahan recorded the throw of the day with a spectacular sode tsurikomi goshi (sleeve and hip throw) drawing gasps and ovations from a hundred or so devotees of the “gentle way” (judo). The Ocean States International was the third leg of the Zebra Tour with the upcoming Burnt Hills’ Morris Cup IX the fourth leg on May 8, 2010 when over 500 of North America’s Judo players compete for cash and prizes at the BH-BL-HS gymnasium.




Photo Standing L to R: Harrison Hatton, Jon Woosley, Bill Shanahan, Jake Stromecki, Kyle Vashkulat & Brad Bolen


Kneeling L to R: Angela Creutzberger, Christie Woosley, Natalie Lafon, Cammi Kaichi, Nick Kossor, Hannah Martin & Laura Galib


Sitting L to R: Jack Hatton, Seth Woosley, Kiernan Shanahan, Kara Brown & Cam Shanahan

JMJC Takes Silver at Spartak Team Championships

Flushing, NY -  The Jason Morris Judo Center (JMJC) traveled to Flushing, NY over the weekend to compete in the first annual elite male team competition hosted by Spartak Sports Club. The JMJC drew a very strong Canadian Team in the first round and went in to the final heavy weight round tied 3-3. Kyle Vashkulat, playing up at heavyweight from his natural -100kg category, stunned Vitaly Proska with a brilliant o ouchi gari (inner leg throw) propelling the JMJC men to the second round against New York’s Starrett Judo Club.

 University at Albany junior and up-and-coming judo superstar Jake Stromecki provided the key victory for the JMJC against Starrett and pushed the JMJC to the finals against a team from the NYAC made up of players from all over the east coast but featuring coach Jimmy Pedro’s Team Force from Wakefield, Massachusetts. With Nick Kossor and Tony Sangamino’s earning no-decisions against their opponents and an easy win for Brad Bolen at 66kg the finals went to round six with the JMJC trailing 2-1-2.

 A win would have sent the event to the heavyweight round tied. The NYAC countered with a mercenary Shintaro Higashi who substituted for a weaker 100kg player. Higashi is a much more experienced player, Nonetheless Stromecki almost won the match outright on two occasions before being scored on in the match’s final seconds assuring the JMJC a second place finish.

  JMJC founder Jason Morris summed up the day by saying, "Our guys fought great and I really look forward to more team tournaments in the future.” Said Coach, Jason Morris

Photo from L to R: Kyle Vashkulat, Bill Shanahan, Jake Stromecki, Brad Bolen, Tony Sangimino, Nick Kossor, Dave Aronov & Coach, Jason Morris

JMJC Open lll

The Jason Morris Judo Center (JMJC) and newly-formed JMJC Booster Club sponsored the 3rd JMJC Open Sunday, March 7, 2010 at the Jason Morris Judo Center in Glenville, NY. The event was a grassroots judo tournament designed to promote the competitive side of judo by providing a safe and inexpensive setting to learn tournament judo. The format opened with 2008 National Champ Nick Kossor leading a thorough warm-up before Jason Morris (2008 Olympic Judo coach and 4x Olympian) taught a one-hour clinic where some competition techniques were examined and studied by all that registered.

Click the picture above to see all the pictures from the event !

Click the picture above to see all the pictures from the event !

Over 50 registered from all parts of CT, MA, NY and Canada were joined by some of the best referees from western New York and New York City. Participants were encouraged to play as many matches as they liked and several had more than 10! “This is a great antidote to those big tournaments where you travel, pay twice as much and your kid plays two is on his way home with less than a minute on the mat,” noted one experienced parent.

The matches started at 12noon and the non-stop action concluded at 4pm with every judo player having as much judo as they wanted. Every Junior player went home with a trophy given them by Jason Morris.

This is the sort of event that the Booster Club was created to support,” noted Kathie Kossor, the co-chair of the Booster Club. “The fact is that we raised nearly $200 for future Booster Club efforts is only icing on the cake.”

The JMJC Booster Club was founded to support the growth of grassroots judo as taught by the Jason Morris Judo Center. Over time it is expected that the Booster club will sponsor outreaches to underserved communities, grassroots tournaments, intramural collegiate judo and foster a greater understanding of our sport by the community at large.

In coming weeks the Booster Club will be soliciting memberships and sponsoring numerous other fundraisers from chicken dinners, to bowling events and garage sales. In meantime, be on the lookout for the Morris Cup, May 8th and the next JMJC Open IV which will most likely be in June.

Creutzberger & Ferrante Take Gold !!

Wakefield, MA - Union College freshman Angela Creutzberger (19) led the way for the Jason Morris Judo Center (JMJC) winning a gold medal in the 48kg weight class at Pedro's Challenge, the second leg of the annual five-city "Zebra Tour".

Burnt Hills 6th grader Victoria Ferrante (12) also captured a gold in the 11-12yrs 48kg division displaying standing techniques unusual in so young an athlete.

Sarah Black (30) took her second Zebra Tour 63kg silver medal in as many months. Black displayed a mastery of groundwork or newaza winning three of her matches for ippon (full point) on the mat.

UAlbany Junior Hannah Martin (21) was a silver medalist in the 57kg division and Natalie Lafon (29) won a silver in 52kg.

Leah Fisher (25) put in a strong performance to earn a silver medal in the 70kg weight class. 32kg division.

Burnt Hills High Sophomore and JMJC newcomer Kara Brown (15) took a silver in the Sr. Novice 52kg division and Christie Woosley (16) earned a bronze in the 13-16yrs 70kg weight class.

The string performance by the JMJC ladies helps solidfy its reputation as the elite training ground for the USA’s female judo athletes. Among the men UAlbany Senior Jake Stromecki (20) secured a silver in the 100kg division earning his first Zebra tour medal in a strong field of seasoned competitors. Kiernan Shanahan (9) performed well taking a silver moving up a class to the 11-12yrs. 32kg weight class to close out the JMJC medal count.

While their JMJC teammates were competing in Massachusetts SCCC students, Tony Sangimino (19) & Kyle Vashkulat (19) were competing for the second-straight week in Europe at the Austrian Open in Vienna. Last week the boys fought in their first French Open. Sangimino lost his opening round to 2008 Olympic bronze medalist & 2007 World Champ Tiago Camilo (BRA). Sangimino gave Camilo some trouble in the first half of the match before getting caught with ouchi for ippon.

Vashkulat picked up his first European circuit win beating Zoltan Pentek (HUN) in the first round by ippon then lost to 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Ariel Zeevi (ISR). Kyle shocked Israel’s seasoned international medalist with an array of techniques sharpened at JMJC’s Burnt Hills’ dojo before succumbing at the four minute mark. Sangimino and Vashkulat have each given signs of extremely bright futures should they continue to “Stay the Course and Do the Work” as Jason Morris implores them to do. 

Also, this week JMJC heralded the arrival Glenville, NY’s two newest citizens as 1992 Olympic silver medalist and 2008 Olympic Team Coach Jason Morris and his wife IJF A-Level Referee Teri Takemori announced the birth of their twin daughters Randi Emiko and Danica Jaden on Wednesday, February 10. 

"First of all, I would like to thank everyone for thinking of us and sending so many well wishes.  Teri and I were twice blessed as two perfect little angels came into our lives on Wednesday," Jason crowed.  "Teri is doing well and recovering nicely." Randi Emiko was born at 1:35 p.m. and weighed in at 5 lbs., 7 oz.  Danica Jaden was born a minute later and weighed 6 lbs., 2 oz. 

A 4x Olympian, Morris proposed to 8x Senior Nationals medalist Takemori on NBC's Today Show in 1999 and the two were married on Dec. 30, 2000. The twins are their first children. 

Upcoming Events for the JMJC:

2010
March 7 - JMJC Open (JMJC Glenville, NY)
March 13 - Montreal Cup (Montreal, QC)
March 20 - Ocean States (Providence, RI)
May 8 - Morris Cup (Burnt Hills, NY)
May 9 - Morris Cup Mini Camp (JMJC Glenville, NY)
May 29-30 - Am Can (Buffalo, NY)