ACT Open
10 February 2008
Marist College, Woden, ACT
Competitors:
Ron Cheung
Martin Doyle
Kristof Frankowski
David Wang
David Braun
Results:
U100kg
3rd Kristof
U81kg
3rd Martin Doyle
5th Ron Cheung
Two club veterans showed their mettle this weekend, and let the juniors know how it should be done, with Martin and Kristof both taking out third in their respective divisions. Martin played with his usual low-down style, and lost only to the ultimate winner, Marc Anthony of Victoria. Kristof (in a tournament he won 13 years ago, and with his yoko tomoenage very much on display) likewise lost only to the eventual winner, Matt Cellotti of Victoria.
Ron placed fifth in U81, after being defeated by Martin in the playoff for third. It's always tough to go down in an intraclub match but as the gracious Martin put it, 'he has time on his side'.
The two Daves had hard days on the mat, both unable to come away with wins. Dave Wang, fighting U73, had probably the toughest draw possible in Australia, bowing on against two fourth dans. He showed himself to be a great competitor, popping on two flying armbars in his first match, only to find a very well balanced oppenent and mate called against him. Almost as impressive as the armbars themselves were the graceful dismounts when play was halted. He may not have won that match, but his performance caused quite a stir. This weekend's Sydney Open will certainly be a more successful arena.
Dave Braun showed some spark, particularly in his second match, where he came out very hard but appeared to lose concentration. A comparatively tall fighter in U60, he took some small consolation (but not much) in losing to techniques other than drop seoinage.
Off the mat, some things to note for next year:
1) the ACT Open (and Saturday evening weigh-in) conincides with Canberra's world food festival;
2) the Embassy Motel, much to the relief of the two Daves, has a sauna.