Mar 28

Team USA Catches Three Bronze Medals On Last Day of PanAm Games

October 29, 2011 – Team USA added three more bronze medals to their collection on the last day of an extremely successful Pan American Games in Guadalajara.

Angelica Delgado, 52 kg (Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center, Coral Springs, FL), Aaron Kunihiro, 60 kg (Team FORCE, Wakefield, Mass.) and Angela Woosley, 48 kg (Jason Morris Judo Center, Glenville, NY) each took a bronze today.

The US judoka are now headed home with one gold, one silver and six bronze. “I am really pleased with the success of our team,” said Jhonny Prado, head coach of USA Judo’s team for the Pan American Games.

USA Judo’s CEO Jose H. Rodriguez described the Games as a huge success. “USA Judo thanks the Mexican people for their energy and hospitality. The crowds were amazing, the venue fantastic.”

Judo competition began on Wednesday. The highlight of the day came when Anthony Turner, 100+ kg (Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center, Coral Springs, FL) took bronze. The pace accelerated on day two when Kayla Harrison, 78 kg (Team FORCE, Wakefield, Mass.) took gold in a field of fighters stacked with a World and Olympic medalist. “Once again, Kayla showed what a true champion does when faced with the challenge,” Prado said.

“Day three was by far our best results,” Prado said. “Kenny Hashimoto, 66 kg (San Jose State University/Northglenn Judo), pulled through nicely, earning a silver medal, and Christal Ransom, 63 kg (Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO), fought smart and stayed with our game plan to win in over-time by flags for her bronze. Hana Carmichael, 57 kg (Team FORCE, Wakefield, Mass.) was on her game and toughed thru a rough match.”

Today, Team USA ended the Pan Am Games three-for-three on the medal count.

Aaron Kunihiro “had a tough loss to Brazil,” Prado said, “but came back strong to beat Canada for the bronze. Aaron out-hustled and was able to get off his throws.”

Angelica Delgado, 52 kg (Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center, Coral Springs, FL) lost to the 2008 Olympic silver medalist from Cuba but came back strong to win bronze, Coach Prado said.

“The pleasant surprise of the day was Angela Woosley,” Prado said. Woosley, 48 kg  (Jason Morris Judo Center, Genville, NY) was able to outperform her Mexican opponent in front of the home crowd for the bronze medal.

“Having 85-percent of our athletes in the medal rounds, this might be our most successful Games in recent times,” Prado said.

“It’s a pleasure to coach this group. USA Judo and our staff has done a great job in developing the ‘Team’”, Prado said. “I would like to extend our appreciation to the US Olympic Committee for doing a great job in servicing our team. It was second to none."

See the full roster of U.S. athletes with clubs below.

DIVISION CLUB 

FEMALE

Angela Woosley   48 kg   Jason Morris Judo Center, Genville, NY

Angelica Delgado   52 kg   Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center, Coral Springs, FL

Hana Carmichael   57 kg   Team FORCE, Pedro’s Judo Center, Wakefield, Mass.

Christal Ransom   63 kg   Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO

Kathleen Sell   70 kg   Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO

Kayla Harrison 78 kg   Team FORCE, Pedro’s Judo Center, Wakefield, Mass.

Molly O’Rourke 78+ kg East Bay Judo Institute, El Cerrito, CA

MALE

Aaron Kunihiro   60 kg   Team FORCE, Pedro’s Judo Center Wakefield, Mass.

Kenneth Hashimoto   66 kg   San Jose State University/Northglenn Judo

Michael Eldred   73 kg  Western Idaho Judo Institute, Fruitland, Idaho

Harry St. Leger   81 kg   Legrosports Judo, Brooklyn, NY

Jacob Larsen   90 kg   Boulder Judo Training Center/OTC, CO

Kyle Vashkulat   100 kg   Jason Morris Judo Center, Glenville, NY

Anthony Turner   100+ kg   Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center, Coral Springs, FL

- Story by Ernest Pund


Tags: Aaron Kunihiro, Angela Creutzberger , Angelica Delgado