New_Page

Hereford based Judo player Andy Morris travelled to Canada to compete in the 7th World Masters Judo Championships. The event which attracted over 1200 competitors, was held over four days at the Hershey Centre Mississauga, Ontario.

Andy, who runs his own Judo club at St Martins Church Hall Hereford, was competing in the under 90kg category and was looking to improve on the 5th place he achieved in the championships in Austria 2004.

In his first fight Andy faced a strong Hungarian fighter. With the scores level at the halfway point, Andy produced a massive pick-up technique to score the maximum possible 10 points (the equivalent of a knockout in boxing).

Round two was a much tougher Canadian opponent, Andy steadily built up a commanding lead placing his opponent under more and more pressure to go for a winning technique. With only 10 seconds of the fight remaining the Canadian attempted a desperate final throw, but in doing so left himself open to be countered. Andy spotted the opening and launched his opponent landing him flat on his back to achieve another 10 point winning throw.

As he progressed through the rounds the fights were becoming even harder, and the quarter-final was a momentous battle against the number one fighter from Finland. Following a number of questionable refereeing decisions that seemed to favour his opponent, the fight finished with the scores level at 3-points apiece. The ‘Golden Score’ rule was then implemented, with the first fighter to score a point being the victor. Only 16 seconds into the golden score Andy scored with yet another 10 point throw and so progressed to the semi-finals where he was to face a tough Russian opponent.

Despite winning his quarter-final the Russian had suffered a bad leg injury and after watching Andy’s quarter-final bout decided to pull out of the event, giving Andy a bye into the final.

In the final Andy faced American fighter Wayne Dickinson. A current USA masters squad member, Dickinson was the 1999 World silver and 2001 World Bronze medallist. This was to be the toughest fight of Andy’s 25-year judo career. Dickinson is a tough, fit and very experienced Judo player. However Andy was not overawed by his opponent and immediately went to work not letting the American settle into his fighting pattern. Beating Dickinson to the attack, Andy dominated much of the fight and although not scoring, took Dickinson down to the ground on several occasions. As a result of Andy’s relentless attacking and domination, Dickinson was not able to produce any attacks of his own and subsequently received a 3-point penalty for passivity. The remainder of the fight continued in much the same vein, with Andy beating Dickinson to the attack, taking him to the floor and gradually running the clock down. With only six seconds of the fight remaining another attack from Andy took Dickinson to the floor, following a quick glance at the clock Andy pinned his opponent until the final bell. As Dickinson lay prone on the floor, head in hands, a euphoric Andy leapt to his feet, punching the air in celebration, as the realisation that the 6am training runs, and endless hours of practising Judo had paid off, as he was now the 2005 World Master Judo champion.

After the high of the World Championships its now back to training for Andy as he prepares for the British Championships in September. A win at this event will secure his selection for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games where Masters Judo is to be included for the first time.