Pedro’s Judo Students Capture Twelve Gold Medals in the Morris Cup Tournament
Pedro’s Judo Center
19 New Salem St.
Wakefield, MA 01880
781-245-0644
pedrosjudo@verizon.net
April 30, 2007 - Burnt Hills, NY: 420 competitors from 12 US States, as well as teams from Puerto Rico and Canada gathered at the Burnt Hills High School in NY on the weekend of April 14 for the 6th Annual Morris Cup Judo tournament. The Morris Cup event has become a major judo tournament in the north east US, and like the Pedro's Challenge event was awarded a level-E status from USA Judo. Athletes winning first and second place in the Senior Elite divisions were awarded roster points by USA Judo towards selection to the different national teams.
Pedro's Judo Center and Team FORCE sent a large squad to compete in the event. The team performed well, and proved once again that it is quickly becoming a major force in the Northeast region, as it captured the second place among the participating teams, missing the first place by a small margin.
In the Senior Elite divisions Radu Brestyan of Team FORCE, training at Pedro's Judo Center was undefeated in the 73kg division with four wins, but he withdrew prior to the finals, to avoid late injury a week before the Senior National Championships.
Asma Sharif, also of Team FORCE, in her second tournament since moving up to the +78kg division, easily beat her opponents to win the Gold Medal.
Atila Javor of Wakefield, MA who holds a novice rank competed for the first time in the 100kg Elite division (Brown and Black Belts). Atila surprised many when he reached the medal stand, winning a Bronze medal and gaining valuable experience on the way.
A few members of the kids Competition Team fought their regular division, in addition to fighting higher age or weight. An exceptional performance was turned in by John Boyle of Boxford, Mass, who signed up for two divisions, but due to an error made by the organizers John ended up fighting three divisions. John, 8 years old, won the Silver medal in his own division, losing only to teammate AJ Pedro in two entertaining bouts, but later added two Gold medals to his load in the next two higher divisions.
Other two-division medalists included Luke Boyle who won two Gold medals, Dante Vinciarelli who won a Gold and a Silver, Meghan Arena, who won a Gold and a Bronze, Kaylin Deschenes, who won a Gold and a Silver, and Sharon Yacubowicz, who won a Silver and a Bronze.
The complete Pedro's Judo Center and Team FORCE results are:
1st Place Winners
AJ Pedro of Methuen, Mass - Boys 7-8 32kg
John Boyle of Boxford, Mass - Boys 7-8 37 kg
John Boyle of Boxford, Mass - Boys 7-8 +37kg (second division)
Kaylin Deschenes of Lynn, Mass - Girls 7-8 +32kg
Antonia Vinciarelli of Lynn, Mass - Girls 9-10 27kg
Casey Pedro of Methuen Mass - Girls 9-10 42kg
Luke Boyle of Boxford, Mass - Boys 9-10 37kg
Luke Boyle of Boxford, Mass - Boys 9-10 42kg
Meghan Arena of Medford, Mass - Girls 11-12 52kg
Dante Vinciarelli of Lynn, Mass - Boys 11-12 58 kg
Riley McIlwain of Lynn, Mass - Boys 15-16 81kg
Asma Sharif of Wakefield, Mass, Senior Women Elite +78Kg
2nd Place Winners
Emma Montanile - Boys/Girls 5-6 Middleweight
Timmy Rivers of Malden, Mass - Boys 7-8 23kg
John Boyle of Boxford Mass - Boys 7-8 32kg (third division)
Luke Deschenes of Lynn, Mass - Boys 7-8 +37kg
Kaylin Deschenes of Lynn, Mass - Girls 9-10 37kg
Olivia Winsor of Lynnfield, Mass - Girls 9-10 42kg
Sharon Yacubowicz of Andover, Mass- Girls 13–16 44kg
Dante Vinciarelli of Lynn, Mass - Boys 13-14 58kg (second division)
Radu Brestyan – Senior Men Elite - 73Kg
3rd Place Winners
Chris Kwmuntis of Peabody, Mass - Boys/Girls 5-6 Middleweight
Tatiana Tompkins of Andover, Mass - Girls 7-8 23kg
Ryan Fitzpatrick of Wakefield, Mass - Boys 7-8 32kg
Meghan Arena of Medford, Mass - Girls 13–16 52 kg (second division)
Patrick Hogan of Lynn, Mass - Boys 13-14 65 kg
Rick Hawn of Wakefield, Mass - Senior Men Elite - 90Kg
Atila Javor - Senior Men Elite - 100Kg
Sharon Yacubowicz of Andover, Mass - Senior Women Elite - 44 Kg (second division)
Complete results can be found on Real Judo Website
John Boyle (Center) and Luke Deschenes (Right) receive their medals at the 2007 Morris Cup tournament
About Pedro’s Judo Center: Pedro's Judo was founded in September 1996 and is owned by 1999 World Champion, 4-time Olympian and Olympic medalist, Jimmy Pedro. The mission of Pedro's Judo Center is to produce leaders and champions on and off the mat while providing the highest quality physical and mental martial arts training to every man, woman, and child who has the desire to improve themselves. In its ninth year of operation, Pedro's Judo Club has already become one of the most successful judo clubs in the nation by producing many national and international champions. For more information, please visit www.pedrosmartialarts.com or call 781-245-0644