PRESS RELEASE

Takemori to officiate at the Judo Worlds
Osaka, Japan- Teri Takemori will be refereeing at her first World Judo Championships September 11-14, 2003. The Jason Morris Judo Club (JMJC) coach is also an International Judo Federation (IJF) "A" Referee and was selected by the IJF to officiate. The IJF selects and all-star unit of referee's from all over the world similar to what the NFL does for the Super Bowl. They try and bring in the best referee's so that the officiating is top shelf. Takemori was an elite level competitor, is a top level coach and Referee. Teri reached a career high #2 ranking at 56kg placing at the US Sr. Nationals eight times. She retired in 1992 after making the final of the Olympic trials. She made a brief comeback in 1995 and qualified for the Olympic trials again but lost in the first round. Takemori has been an "IJF" A referee since 1998 and has been refereeing since she was 13. Teri has officiated at many major events including the French Open, German Open, Austrian Open, Jr. Worlds in Korea and Fukuoka International but will getting her first crack at the Worlds this year. The IJF will select referee's from the Worlds to officiate at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. Burnt Hills High Graduate and Schenectady County Community College freshman, Liz Burns, who is a student from the JMJC was also selected to attend the Worlds. Burns was named to participate under the USOC's "Emerging athlete program" which allowed USA Judo to choose athlete's who show promise for the future to attend the Worlds and take in the experience. Burns (18) is currently ranked #2 in the USA at 52kg behind 2003 World team member, Charlee Minkin. Long time friend and Photographer for Takemori's magazine "Real Judo", Lou DiGesare also made the trip to Osaka to cover the event for North America's premiere Judo publication. Teri, along with husband, Jason Morris edit Real Judo Magazine.