The 2005 Oceania Judo Union (OJU) Open World Cup was held 5-10 November 2005 at the revamped Tallebudgera Fitness Centre, on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

This was a first and a new venture for the OJU and our part of the world. This gave athletes from our Oceania countries an excellent opportunity to play in a World event with world-class athletes. Countries participating were Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Guam, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, India, Korea, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Kenya, Germany, Chinese Taipei, Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Iran and England.

Jeon Ki Young – Demonstrating a technique

Following the championship a three day training camp was held featuring Mr Ki-Young Jeon from Korea. Mr Jeon is acknowledged as being the best ever-Korean Judoka and one of the worlds all time greats. Undefeated on the World and Olympic stage he won the under 78 kg World Title in 1993, the under 86 kg title in 1995 and 1997 and became the Olympic champion in 1996 for the same division. Following his third consecutive World Championship victory, Ki-Young retired from competition and is currently the National Coach for the Korean National Team. His training sessions attracted over a hundred judoka and apart from the excellent instruction sessions the players enjoyed plenty of randori with a mix of new players from across the world.

Following the weekend championship and training camp the OJU President’s Cup Teams event was held and proved very popular with the players and organisers. Gold medallists from the weekend event were invited to select a team (one from each weight division) and what followed was a very entertaining day of Team Judo.

Winners in each category received a large medal and ribbon, plus a beautiful silver cup from the President of the Oceania Judo Union, Ms Clare Hargrave.

The organising team lead by Clare Hargrave and Paul Nelson of Queensland did a sterling job over the week. The accreditation team led by Michael Hall worked into the early hours of the first three mornings and then Michael fought in the event as well. Events like this are only possible with the army of dedicated volunteers who help out freely with their time. The Judo Federation of Australia (Queensland) Inc members rallied and are greatly thanked.

George Brendecke of Port Douglas (Aus) with Tiffany Day (Aus)

The results (shown below) produced some excellent Judo contests, skilful techniques and big throws.  Australia having the advantage of home soil had a large number of entries including present and past National Team members.  Individual players varied in weight from under 60kgs to 169kgs in the heavyweights.

Bill Vincent NZ Coach is thrown by one of the NZ Team

Results were:

MEN’S

Under 60 kgs

1. Guillaume Tiberghien (Aus)
2. Tristan Everitt (Aus)
3. Cedric Delanne (FPL)

Under 66 kgs

1. Cyril Chevalier (NCL)
2. Santos Dos (Aus)
3. Nicolas Gravier (NCL)

Under 73 kgs

1. Trindade De Abreu (NCL)
2. Joerg Tepper (Ger)
3. Peter Broom (NZL)

Under  81 kgs

1. Munetoshi Ikegami (JPN)
2. Takashi Watanabe (Japan)
3. Chad Trethowan (Aus)

Under 90 kgs

1. Priscus Fogagnolo (Aus)
2. Chris Swalwell (Aus)

Under 100 kgs

1. Nemani Takayawa  (Fij)
2.  Andrew Pragnell (NZL)
3. Jason Koster (NZL)

Over 100 kgs

1. Ricardo Blas Jr   (GUM)
2. Nacanieli Takayawa (FIJ)
3. Don Fairley (NZL)

WOMEN’S

Under 48 kgs

1. Elodie Foeillet (NCL)

Under 52 kgs

1. Kelly Fong (Aus)
2.  Sonya Chervonsky (Aus)
3. Chelisa Chester (Aus)

Under 57 kgs

1. Saeko Matsuura (JPN)
2. Kate Bell (Aus)
3. Veronia Perez (Aus)

Under 63 kgs

1. Catherine Arlove (Aus)
2. Allison Newham (Aus)

Under 70 kgs

1. Janelle Sheperd (Aus)
2. Diane Limbrey (NZL)
3. Danielle Newham (Aus)

Over 70 kgs

1. Simone Dahl (Aus)

TEAMS EVENT

1st Team 4 (Pragnell)
2nd Team 7 (Trinidade De abreu)
3rd Team 1 (Delanne) and Team 2 (Fairley)