Visually Impaired World Championships Day 1 Results

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – Ron Hawthorne (Colorado Springs, Colo. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center) had the best result for Team USA on the first day of competition at the International Blind Sports Association World Championships in Antalya, Turkey.

Hawthorne led during his first match on Thursday against David Garcia (ESP) by a penalty before throwing Garcia for a yuko (quarter-point) with a kata guruma (fireman’s carry).  Garcia then received two additional shidos for false attacks.  In the final seconds of the match, Ron received a stalling penalty, but won the match by the yuko score and a waza-ari he received from Garcia’s three penalties. 

In his second match, Hawthorne was doing groundwork with Juan Castellanos (COL) when the referee decided that no progress was being made and called “matte” to stop the clock and stand the players back up.  After the call, Castellanos continued to try to choke Hawthorne who tapped out.  The referee jury called the on-mat referees over and decision was made that the “matte was in error” and awarded the match to Castellanos as Hawthorne had tapped out.  Castellanos lost in the next round to eventual bronze medalist Ramin Ibrhimov (AZE) and Hawthorne was not carried through to the repechage. 

Seventeen-year-old Joshua Farra (Coatesville, Pa. / Liberty Bell Judo) qualified for his first World Team after only sixth months of judo training. A competitive wrestler since age seven, Farra's scrappy nature and wrestling skills matched him up well against Darren Harris (GBR).  The two fought for the five minute regulation period during which Farra held Harris off from throwing him, but ultimately he lost the match by three penalties to one.  In the next round, Harris lost to eventual bronze medalist Victortuis Sanchez (CUB) and Farra did not advance.

Also competing at her first World Championships, Cindy Simon (Wayne, N.J. / Performance Judo) drew reigning World and Paralympic Champion Lijing Wang (CHN) in the first round of the 52kg division.  Wang threw Simon in the first exchange with a seoi nage (shoulder throw) for ippon (instant win).  Wang advanced to the finals, carrying Simon through to the repechage where she faced Gulhan Kilic (TUR), who pinned Simon for the win. 

Tina Thomas (Los Angeles, Calif. / Mojica Judo) was scheduled to compete in the 48kg division, but did not make weight.

Competition continues on Friday in the women’s 57kg and 63kg and the men’s 73kg and 81kg divisions.  Team USA has three athletes competing in these divisions. 

Jordan Mouton (Houston, Texas / Diamondback Judo) will face Daniele Silva (BRA) in the first round of the 63kg division.  Adnan Gutic (St. Louis, Mo. / White Dragon Judo) drew Daniel Powell (GBR) for his first round 73kg match.  Nathaniel Fodrea (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Judan Judo) has a first-round bye and will face Jose Effron (ARG) in the second round.

Complete results are as follows:

Also Competed: Joshua Farra (Coatesville, Pa. / Liberty Bell Judo), 0-1

Tags: Cindy Simon, Joshua Farra, Ron Hawthorne, Tina Thomas