Reno, NV – Athletes from the Glenville, NY based, Jason Morris Judo Center (JMJC) enjoyed phenomenal results at the US Senior Nationals, May 15, 2021 winning 11 total medals including 5 gold at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. Ari Berliner (22) went 4-0 on the day to win his first National title at 66kg. Melissa Myers (25) also went 4-0 as she captured her maiden National championship winning. the 70kg division. Nicole Stout (23) was third JMJC athletes claim their first National title as she posted a 3-0 record winning all of her matches by ippon (full point) in the 78kg weight class. Iain Berliner (17) was a surprise finalist taking a silver medal in the 60kg category while JMJC teammate Zach Judy (28) placed third in the same division. This Berliner’s and Judy’s first medal at nationals. Iain competed later in the 60kg Brown Belt division and went 3-0 to take Gold. Yusef Houssni (18) was a double medalist as well, winning a silver in the 73kg division then dominated the 73kg U21 category to capture Gold. Houssni is also coached by, Dave Faulkner from Southwest Judo. Veteran, Tony Sangimino (31) picked up a silver medal in the 81kg weight class losing only in the final in an overtime thriller. Sangimino now resides in San Francisco. where he trains Boxers and MMA Fighters. Kell Berliner (26) was fighting up a weight class and captured the bronze in the 90kg division. Victoria Ferrante (23) closed out the JMJC medal count picking up a bronze in the 63kg brown belt division. The JMJC has now produced an impressive 133 Medalists and 41 Champions at the US Senior Nationals in its 20 year history. One of the terrific stories of this trip beyond the medals won, was the return of two Burnt Hills High School Graduates, Victoria Ferrante and Nick Irabli (24). Ferrante stopped Judo at 14 basically shortly after her father, Jim died who was a wonderful man. Irabli was forced to to stop after tearing an ACL in his right knee that required reconstruction surgery when he was 17. They both recently came back to Judo and had the courage to compete in the Nationals after such a long absence. Irabli lost over 90lbs. since returning.

Jason Morris Judo Center
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