grapplator: Olympics

Showing posts with label Olympics. Show all posts

Showing posts with label Olympics. Show all posts

No Olympic MMA

No Olympic MMA - From Flickr.com

Whether you find it OK/fine, or you really get mad at the idea, here's the thing: There will be no Olympic MMA - or Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) for that matter.

Let me rephrase that a little bit before the hard-core mixed martial arts fans gets a full-blown seizure ... these sports will not be included in any foreseeable future.

Sure, the current fighting arts in the Olympic games are about as exiting to watch as drying paint - in other words extremely boring unless you're into that particular art/sport.

And sure enough, MMA is - whether we like it or not - a massive force to be reckoned with on the combat sports arena. It's action packed and intriguing in ways that say taekwondo or judo can never be.

Still, the chances that MMA - or other sports like BJJ - will be a part of the Olympic family any time soon is close to zero.

And no, I'm not the one saying so. I love BJJ (been doing it myself for some time) and I can't see why a modified version of MMA shouldn't be made to fit the Olympic program. There are others - people with more knowledge than me who says so.

Read more about it here.

No Olympic MMA - From Flickr.com

Whether you find it OK/fine, or you really get mad at the idea, here's the thing: There will be no Olympic MMA - or Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) for that matter.

Let me rephrase that a little bit before the hard-core mixed martial arts fans gets a full-blown seizure ... these sports will not be included in any foreseeable future.

Sure, the current fighting arts in the Olympic games are about as exiting to watch as drying paint - in other words extremely boring unless you're into that particular art/sport.

And sure enough, MMA is - whether we like it or not - a massive force to be reckoned with on the combat sports arena. It's action packed and intriguing in ways that say taekwondo or judo can never be.

Still, the chances that MMA - or other sports like BJJ - will be a part of the Olympic family any time soon is close to zero.

And no, I'm not the one saying so. I love BJJ (been doing it myself for some time) and I can't see why a modified version of MMA shouldn't be made to fit the Olympic program. There are others - people with more knowledge than me who says so.

Read more about it here.

Judoka disqualified

Judo randori - Illustration, Wikipedia

A Georgian judoka and Olympic champion have reportedly been disqualified after positive doping tests.

This is according to news.az.

Georgian wrestler, Olympic Champion Irakli Tsirekidze will face a three-month disqualification due to the results of the special analysis, which revealed stimulant drugs in his blood.
To avoid any inaccuracy in the tests, it was repeated with a few months interval and in both cases the analysis confirmed that Tsirekidze had a prohibited substance in his blood.

Judo randori - Illustration, Wikipedia

A Georgian judoka and Olympic champion have reportedly been disqualified after positive doping tests.

This is according to news.az.

Georgian wrestler, Olympic Champion Irakli Tsirekidze will face a three-month disqualification due to the results of the special analysis, which revealed stimulant drugs in his blood.
To avoid any inaccuracy in the tests, it was repeated with a few months interval and in both cases the analysis confirmed that Tsirekidze had a prohibited substance in his blood.

Judoka stealing toothpaste?

Toothpaste - Illustration from Wikipedia

Judoka stealing toothpaste? really?

To put it mildly, this seems like a really stupid things to do when you risk losing participation in a major event like the 2012 Olympics.

It is so stupid, that I may be tempted to believe there is something else going on here than an urgent need of toothpaste. Haaretz.com reports.

Israeli judoka Soso Palelashvili was arrested Friday on suspicion of stealing toothpaste from a grocery store in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Israeli judo officials immediately decided to ban Palelashvili from competing in the Dusseldorf Judo Grand Prix, putting a serious dent in his hopes of reaching the 2012 London Olympic Games.

What's your opinion of this? Seems rather strange, right? Apparently a troublemaker, but this is strange.

Toothpaste - Illustration from Wikipedia

Judoka stealing toothpaste? really?

To put it mildly, this seems like a really stupid things to do when you risk losing participation in a major event like the 2012 Olympics.

It is so stupid, that I may be tempted to believe there is something else going on here than an urgent need of toothpaste. Haaretz.com reports.

Israeli judoka Soso Palelashvili was arrested Friday on suspicion of stealing toothpaste from a grocery store in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Israeli judo officials immediately decided to ban Palelashvili from competing in the Dusseldorf Judo Grand Prix, putting a serious dent in his hopes of reaching the 2012 London Olympic Games.

What's your opinion of this? Seems rather strange, right? Apparently a troublemaker, but this is strange.

Improperly collected funds?

Japan -- The Olympic Committee in Japan is investigating whether the All Japan Taekwondo Association have improperly collected more than 20 million yen from national team officials over a four years period, according to mdn.mainichi.jp.

It is speculated that senior officials within the association have asked medical staff and coaches to hand over money because of financial problems the association are facing.

Japan -- The Olympic Committee in Japan is investigating whether the All Japan Taekwondo Association have improperly collected more than 20 million yen from national team officials over a four years period, according to mdn.mainichi.jp.

It is speculated that senior officials within the association have asked medical staff and coaches to hand over money because of financial problems the association are facing.

Judo coach, sexual harassment

Update, December 27:

Prosecutors recently filed rape charges against the two-time Olympic judo gold medalist according to media reports.

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Japan -- A 33-year-old retired double Olympic judo gold medalist has been fired from his position as a university coach for sexually harassing a female student, according to sports.yahoo.com.

The man, who won the 66kg title at the Olympics in 2004 as well as 2008, announced his retirement from competition in October 2010 and became a visiting professor at Kyushu University.

The university stated that the man gave the student alcohol - she is allegedly under legal drinking age in Japan (20) - and harassed her sexually in September.

Update, December 27:

Prosecutors recently filed rape charges against the two-time Olympic judo gold medalist according to media reports.

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Japan -- A 33-year-old retired double Olympic judo gold medalist has been fired from his position as a university coach for sexually harassing a female student, according to sports.yahoo.com.

The man, who won the 66kg title at the Olympics in 2004 as well as 2008, announced his retirement from competition in October 2010 and became a visiting professor at Kyushu University.

The university stated that the man gave the student alcohol - she is allegedly under legal drinking age in Japan (20) - and harassed her sexually in September.

Accused of raping student

Georgia -- A 28-year-old popular taekwondo instructor who was training for the 2012 Olympics is in jail following an alleged sexual assault of a 9-year-old student.

The man was reportedly arrested on June 25 when a 9-year-old girl told police the instructor assaulted her at his martial arts school in Lithonia, according to examiner.com.

Georgia -- A 28-year-old popular taekwondo instructor who was training for the 2012 Olympics is in jail following an alleged sexual assault of a 9-year-old student.

The man was reportedly arrested on June 25 when a 9-year-old girl told police the instructor assaulted her at his martial arts school in Lithonia, according to examiner.com.

Taekwondon't

Update, August 27:
The 16-year-old boy from Florida has been sentenced and ordered to serve up to eight months at a youth correctional institution following the assault at a local martial arts competition.

Update, July 7:
It was originally thought the fight broke out prior to a match. However, it has emerged that there was no "fight", but an outright assault - and that it happened after a bout.

The attacker, who just prior to the incident had lost his match, went over to the winner and delivered a vicious kick to the head of the totally unprepared victim.

A witness said that neither the assailant, nor his father, seemed to have any remorse (why am I not surprised...)

Read more mercurynews.com - a nasty story for sure!

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California -- In San Jose, two juvenile competitors - aged 15 and 16 - got into a brawl prior to their scheduled match at the USA Taekwondo Junior Olympics, according to examiner.com.

As a result of the violent fight, one of the boys were arrested and the other was taken to a medical center, a police spokesman said.

Shameful and stupid behavior if you ask me.

Update, August 27:
The 16-year-old boy from Florida has been sentenced and ordered to serve up to eight months at a youth correctional institution following the assault at a local martial arts competition.

Update, July 7:
It was originally thought the fight broke out prior to a match. However, it has emerged that there was no "fight", but an outright assault - and that it happened after a bout.

The attacker, who just prior to the incident had lost his match, went over to the winner and delivered a vicious kick to the head of the totally unprepared victim.

A witness said that neither the assailant, nor his father, seemed to have any remorse (why am I not surprised...)

Read more mercurynews.com - a nasty story for sure!

----

California -- In San Jose, two juvenile competitors - aged 15 and 16 - got into a brawl prior to their scheduled match at the USA Taekwondo Junior Olympics, according to examiner.com.

As a result of the violent fight, one of the boys were arrested and the other was taken to a medical center, a police spokesman said.

Shameful and stupid behavior if you ask me.

Judo benefit cheat

UK -- A visually impaired, female judo champion was hoping to represent her country in the 2012 Olympics as a member of the Paralympics squad. The woman has now been exposed as a benefit cheat, according to thevisitor.co.uk.

The 37-year-old woman allegedly told authorities that she could barely crawl across the floor or make a meal on one of her bad days.

However, video footage have revealed the judoka throwing her opponent to the floor during a bout of judo.

She has also been seen shopping, walking and running for a bus without any difficulty - all filmed in secret by benefit fraud investigators.

UK -- A visually impaired, female judo champion was hoping to represent her country in the 2012 Olympics as a member of the Paralympics squad. The woman has now been exposed as a benefit cheat, according to thevisitor.co.uk.

The 37-year-old woman allegedly told authorities that she could barely crawl across the floor or make a meal on one of her bad days.

However, video footage have revealed the judoka throwing her opponent to the floor during a bout of judo.

She has also been seen shopping, walking and running for a bus without any difficulty - all filmed in secret by benefit fraud investigators.

Olympic selection threatened

Australia -- Abc.net.au reports that a legal conflict between two Australian taekwondo organisations could result in no TKD athletes participating in the 2012 Olympics, unless a solution is reached soon.

Taekwondo Australia claims a rival organisation, TKD Sports Taekwondo Australia, allegedly have made misleading and deceptive claims that it could provide a direct pathway to the Olympics.

A Federal Court judge have informed lawyers for both parties that athletes seeking to gain selection for the London Games could be hindered.

Australia -- Abc.net.au reports that a legal conflict between two Australian taekwondo organisations could result in no TKD athletes participating in the 2012 Olympics, unless a solution is reached soon.

Taekwondo Australia claims a rival organisation, TKD Sports Taekwondo Australia, allegedly have made misleading and deceptive claims that it could provide a direct pathway to the Olympics.

A Federal Court judge have informed lawyers for both parties that athletes seeking to gain selection for the London Games could be hindered.

Ex judo champ, drug baron

Australia -- A 60-year-old former Olympic judoka has been arrested by Australian police along with other alleged drug barons, according to coffscoastadvocate.com.au.

The judo champion, who reportedly participated in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, was charged with 18 counts of drug supply and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Australia -- A 60-year-old former Olympic judoka has been arrested by Australian police along with other alleged drug barons, according to coffscoastadvocate.com.au.

The judo champion, who reportedly participated in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, was charged with 18 counts of drug supply and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Acquitted of rape charge

Colorado -- A former member of the U.S. Olympic judo team has been acquitted by a jury of raping a 15-year-old girl in Colorado Springs in 2008, according to gazette.com.

He was however found guilty of two misdemeanor counts of having oral sex with a juvenile who was at least 10 years his junior.

The man will be required to register as a sex offender as a result of the misdemeanor convictions. He is facing up to two years in the county jail when he is sentenced February 8, 2011.

Also, a civil lawsuit the girl and her parents filed against him and the girl's judo team is still pending.

Colorado -- A former member of the U.S. Olympic judo team has been acquitted by a jury of raping a 15-year-old girl in Colorado Springs in 2008, according to gazette.com.

He was however found guilty of two misdemeanor counts of having oral sex with a juvenile who was at least 10 years his junior.

The man will be required to register as a sex offender as a result of the misdemeanor convictions. He is facing up to two years in the county jail when he is sentenced February 8, 2011.

Also, a civil lawsuit the girl and her parents filed against him and the girl's judo team is still pending.

Judo athlete, rape trial

Colorado -- During a trial, a 17-year-old judo competitor spoke about how she had pleaded for a former (2008) U.S. Olympic athlete to stop and get off her during an alleged raped her in his Colorado Springs hotel room.

The young judoka was 15-years-old and drunk at the time of the alleged assault by the judo fighter, according to gazette.com.

Following a tournament, the girl had been out drinking with friends when she reportedly ran into the man.

Colorado -- During a trial, a 17-year-old judo competitor spoke about how she had pleaded for a former (2008) U.S. Olympic athlete to stop and get off her during an alleged raped her in his Colorado Springs hotel room.

The young judoka was 15-years-old and drunk at the time of the alleged assault by the judo fighter, according to gazette.com.

Following a tournament, the girl had been out drinking with friends when she reportedly ran into the man.

Passing of a legend

Holland -- After being ill for some time, the Dutch judo legend passed away at the age of 76 in his home town of Utrecht, according to rnw.nl.

Geesink shocked Japan as well as the judo world by being the first non-Japanese to beat their own title favorite - Akio Kaminga - at the Olympics in 1964. All though this was a huge blow to the Japanese, Geesink was revered there as a great judoka into his old age.

Holland -- After being ill for some time, the Dutch judo legend passed away at the age of 76 in his home town of Utrecht, according to rnw.nl.

Geesink shocked Japan as well as the judo world by being the first non-Japanese to beat their own title favorite - Akio Kaminga - at the Olympics in 1964. All though this was a huge blow to the Japanese, Geesink was revered there as a great judoka into his old age.

Running for parliment

Japan -- 34-year-old judoka Ryoko Tani is somewhat of a Japanese icon and role model after returning to her successful judo career following the birth of her first child in 2005.

The two-time Olympic gold medal winner and seven-time world champion has said she is planning to run for parliament but that she was also still aiming for gold at the London Games in 2012 according to google.com.

Japan -- 34-year-old judoka Ryoko Tani is somewhat of a Japanese icon and role model after returning to her successful judo career following the birth of her first child in 2005.

The two-time Olympic gold medal winner and seven-time world champion has said she is planning to run for parliament but that she was also still aiming for gold at the London Games in 2012 according to google.com.

Chopping the pork chops

China -- China's 27-year-old 2008 Olympic judo champion Tong Wen lost her 2009 world title and was banned for two years after testing positive for Clenbuterol.

Now her coach, Wu Weifeng, has allegedly blamed a surfeit of pork chops for her positive test, according to nz.sports.yahoo.com.

Her coach believes that the well-documented food safety problems in China were responsible for the positive test.

The coach said that the judo star had been given lots of pork chops while preparing for the 2009 Championships in Holland. "She trained in Europe for a while and was sick of European food (...)," the coach said.

China -- China's 27-year-old 2008 Olympic judo champion Tong Wen lost her 2009 world title and was banned for two years after testing positive for Clenbuterol.

Now her coach, Wu Weifeng, has allegedly blamed a surfeit of pork chops for her positive test, according to nz.sports.yahoo.com.

Her coach believes that the well-documented food safety problems in China were responsible for the positive test.

The coach said that the judo star had been given lots of pork chops while preparing for the 2009 Championships in Holland. "She trained in Europe for a while and was sick of European food (...)," the coach said.

Judo star hangs himself

UK -- An inquest heard how a 23-year-old British judo star hanged himself on New Year's Day with his own black belt after struggling to get over splitting from his girlfriend, according to dailymail.co.uk.

The judo fighter was reportedly listed as one of the amateur sportsmen expected to shine during the 2012 London Olympics.

UK -- An inquest heard how a 23-year-old British judo star hanged himself on New Year's Day with his own black belt after struggling to get over splitting from his girlfriend, according to dailymail.co.uk.

The judo fighter was reportedly listed as one of the amateur sportsmen expected to shine during the 2012 London Olympics.

Olympics hopeful jailed

Australia -- A 33-year-old Olympic martial arts hopeful and long-time friend of (Australian football star) Ben Cousins was recently sentenced to 17 years in jail for his role in conspiring to traffic 44kg of MDMA (a drug used to produce ecstasy).

The Sydney man will serve a minimum 10½ years before being eligible for parole, according to heraldsun.com.au.

Australia -- A 33-year-old Olympic martial arts hopeful and long-time friend of (Australian football star) Ben Cousins was recently sentenced to 17 years in jail for his role in conspiring to traffic 44kg of MDMA (a drug used to produce ecstasy).

The Sydney man will serve a minimum 10½ years before being eligible for parole, according to heraldsun.com.au.

TKD brothel for sale

New Zealand -- A taekwondo Olympian who sparked quite a bit of controversy when he set up a brothel in an attempt to fund his Olympics campaign is now reportedly selling the business as a peace offering, according to tvnz.co.nz.

Logan Campbell set-up the "gentleman's club" in Auckland in 2009 to help fund his bid for the 2012 Olympics, a move which brought stern reactions from both the New Zealand Olympic Committee and the national taekwondo federation and jeopardised his place in future squads.

New Zealand -- A taekwondo Olympian who sparked quite a bit of controversy when he set up a brothel in an attempt to fund his Olympics campaign is now reportedly selling the business as a peace offering, according to tvnz.co.nz.

Logan Campbell set-up the "gentleman's club" in Auckland in 2009 to help fund his bid for the 2012 Olympics, a move which brought stern reactions from both the New Zealand Olympic Committee and the national taekwondo federation and jeopardised his place in future squads.