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Burns takes 5th, Chandler 7th in Italy
Porto San'Epidio, Italy - Burnt Hills High School Sr., Liz Burns took fifth place in 52kg at the Tre Torri International Judo tournament over the weekend. Burns, who is from the Glenville, NY based Jason Morris Judo Club (JMJC) lost here opening match to Larissa Caluori (SUI). There was an early score called against Burns then the Refs didn't penalize a deserving Caluori (stalling) and the Swiss managed to survive and get the win. Burns came back strong in the loser's bracket and recorded wins over Guiducci Martina (ITA), Iwona Mahalek (POL) and Sewden #1, Carolina Johansson to get into the bronze medal bout. Liz started out strong against Regina Silva (ITA) scoring yuko in the first gripping exchange, but then got caught for ippon (full point) having to settle for Fifth place. Burns earned 2 more points on the USA roster to close the gap to 10-7 with US #1, Charlee Minkin toward the 2004 Olympic trials. Carrie Chandler also had a promising day going 2-2 in her seventh place finish at 57kg. Chandler stared her day beating Audry LaRizza (FRA) throwing the french girl with a beautiful uchimata to overturn a yuko defecit. Chandler then lost to eventual silver medalist, Maria Lindberg (SWE) in the quarters. Carrie arm barred Diana Ballabio (ITA) to set a fight with eventual bronze medalist and Polish #1, Inge Golaszewska. The Pole won their two previous matches handily. This time the match would almost go the distance before Chandler final fell the Golaszewska in the last minute. Nate Torra went 1-2 on the day and did not place at 66kg. Torra won his first bout convincingly over Erra Denato (ITA) but then lost a tough match to Gianni Carella (ITA). Nate just couldn't get it going again in the loser's bracket losing his next fight to Grigorius Nezarov (ITA) eliminating him. Burns, Chandler and Torra now get a well deserved rest after a long winter and spring where they have had to travel to Bulgaria, France, Austria, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, NV, Mexico, Venezuela and Italy. In other JMJC club news: Teri Takemori just returned from Brazil where she was refereeing. Takemori has also been a road warrior as of late having to travel to Korea, Las Vegas, NV, Venezuela, Mexico and Brazil to get ready for the Worlds in Japan that she is slated to go to. Next up for the JMJC is the USJF Jr. Nationals 7/26/03 and Jr. US Open 8/2/03 for Ronni Aragona (12), Shayna Bigec (14), Nick Delpololo (14), Helen Delpopolo (10), Jeremy Galib (9), Nick Kossor (17), Jeremy Liggett (14) and AJ Silverman (15) who will be traveling with coach Teri Takemori. Coach, Jason Morris was hired by 2000 Olympic silver medalist, Nicolas Gill and 2000 Olympic fifth place finisher, Keith Morgan to coach them at two European training camps from July 19-Aug. 1 and will have to travel to France and Holland.