For Immediate Release

Two of four athletes from the Northglenn Judo Club won gold medals at the Torneo Nacional de Judo in Mexico City last weekend. The event was the Mexican National Judo Championships. It was an Open tournament and Northglenn received an invitation to participate from a former club member who is now coaching in Guadalajara. The event took place at the Instituto Politecnico Nacional (National Polytechincal Institute) in Mexico City.

Jonathon Stafford competed in the 9-10 year old, 25 kg division. He lost his first match by a split decision after the first overtime period ended in no score. Jonathon lost his 2nd match and was eliminated.

Andrew Tokuyama competed in the 11-12 year old, 64 kg division. Andrew lost his first match and was eliminated when his opponent lost in the next round.

Buffy defeated Anna Alcolea, Yucatan, Mexico with a spectacular shoulder throw for Ippon (instant win). Buffy's second match was against Elizabeth Gonzalez of Guadalajara, Mexico. The regulation time period ended in no score although Buffy was nearly arm locked twice but refused to submit. One minute into the overtime period, Buffy scored with a backwards body-drop throw and won the match. In the final, Buffy secured the gold medal by scoring two consecutive 1/2 points against other Guadalajara competitor, Diana Arias.

Chelsea Novak also won the gold in the 17-19 year old, 63 Kg division. Chelsea defeated Jennifer Favela of Mexico with pinning technique for Ippon. She then went on to pin Fatima Pinto of Yucatan, Mexico with another pin for Ippon. In the final, Chelsea met up with Monica Carillo of Mexico City. Monica scored early with small throw. Then Chelsea came back with two throws and followed the 2nd one with another pin to secure the gold.

Prior to the tournament, the Northglenn athletes spent five days training with the elite team from Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico.