PRESS RELEASE

Event - THE 2000 OKLAHOMA STATE JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Date - March 25, 2000 - Saturday

Venue - Tulsa, Oklahoma

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Dr. Richard Redner of Tulsa served as Chief Referee for the championships. Mr. Ralph Sexton, and Dr. Joel Holloway, 1998 World Games Kata Grand Champions from Norman, Oklahoma, served as Judges for the kata competitions. Messrs. Thom Layon and John Cowling of Tulsa were the Tournament Directors. Ms. Nancy Barnett of Yoon’s Judo School was the Tournament Host.

Teams and schools participating in the 2000 Oklahoma Judo Championships included Bishop Kelly High School of Tulsa (BK); Bridge Creek High School of Newcastle (BC); Holland Hall High School of Tulsa (HH); Home School Judo (HSJ); Lawton High School (LHS); Lawton Judo Club (LJC); St. John’s Judo Club (SJJC) of Oklahoma City; Sooner Judo Club (SJC) of Norman; Tulsa Judo Club (TJC); University of Central Oklahoma (UCO); University of Oklahoma (OU); USA Stars Judo Club of Norman (USS); Windsong Judo Club (WJC) of Oklahoma City; and Yoon’s Judo School of Tulsa (YJST).

Open Division - Kata Champions

GoshinJitsu Kata Division: Thom Layon and Rob Okada (YJST) - Gold

Katame No Kata Division: Thom Layon and Rob Okada (YJST) - Gold

Open Division - Freestyle Fighting Champions

Masters Men:

56 kg: 1^st Place - Rob Okada (YJST)

66 kg: 1^st Place - Torry Brand (TJC)

73 kg: 1^st Place - Neal Green (SJJC)

81 kg: 1^st Place - Conrad Charalampous (USS)

+81 kg: 1^st Place - Jack Hicks (TJC)

90 kg: 1^st Place - Thom Layon (YJST)

100 kg: 1^st Place - Stephen Kenton (SJC)

+100 kg: 1^st Place - James Walker (SJC)

Masters Women:

78 kg: 1st Place - Leslie Rard (SJC)

Junior Boys:

5 - 6 years old, Lightweight: 1st Place - Landon Edington (USS)

6 - 7 years old, Lightweight: 1st Place - Gavin Edington (USS)

7 - 8 years old, Lightweight: 1st Place - Layton Harper (LJC)

8 - 9 years old, Flyweight : 1st Place - Kidd Gomez (USS)

8 - 9 years old, Flyweight : 1st Place - Clay Followwill (SJC)

8 - 9 years old, Lightweight: 1st Place - Skyler Teague (USS)

8 - 9 years old, Middleweight: 1st Place - Stephen Gonzalez (LJC)

10-12 years old, Flyweight: 1^st Place - Blake Cheadle (SJJC)

10-12 years old, Lightweight: 1^st Place - Torin Brand (TJC)

10-12 years old, Middleweight: 1^st Place - Jake Edmonds (USS)

10-12 years old, LtHvyweight: 1^st Place - Brax Casey (USS)

10-12 years old, Cruiserweight: 1^st Place - Kameo Ross (SJJC)

Teen Boys:

13-14 years old, Division 1: 1st Place - Brandon Shelton (USS)

13-14 years old, Division 2: 1st Place - Kyle Dake (USS)

13-14 years old, Division 3: 1st Place - Mitchell Stewart (SJJC)

15-16 years old, Division 1: 1st Place - Louis Edmonds (USS)

15-16 years old, Division 2: 1st Place - Patrick Lindsey (YJST)

15-16 years old, Division 3: 1st Place - Clint Dake (USS)

15-16 years old, Division 4: 1st Place - Robert Ford (SJJC)

Junior Girls:

Division 1: 1st Place - Victoria Brand (TJC)

Division 2: 1st Place - Katherine Ensler (SJC)

Senior Women:

Flyweight: 1^st Place - Katherine Ensler (SJC)

Lightweight: 1^st Place - Leah Kenton (SJC)

Middleweight: 1^st Place - Kristi Springer (USS)

Senior Men:

60 kilograms: 1^st Place - Yuzo Fujiwara (UCO)

66 kilograms: 1^st Place - David Okada (YJST)

73 kilograms: 1^st Place - Travis Kerran (USS)

81 kilograms: 1^st Place - Adam Barnard (SJC)

90 kilograms: 1^st Place - Brian Pickle (USS)

100 kilograms: 1^st Place - Tad Burgess (USS)

100+ kilograms: 1^st Place - Michael Cooke (USS)

Submitted by Oklahoma Judo Association, 125 West 15th Street, Tulsa, OK. 918-583-5538.