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SAYAKA MATSUMOTO - 48kg
Age: 25. DOB: December 5th, 1982, Omiya, Japan. Residence: El Cerito, CA.
Height: 5’ 2”. Weight: 105 lbs
 Career Highlights:
2008 Olympic Trials - 1st
2008 Pan American Championship - 5th
2006 Pan American Championship - 3rd
2005 Pan American Championship - 3rd
2004 Pan American Championship - 5th
2003 Pan American Games - 7th
2003 Pan American Championship - 2nd
2002 Pan American Championship - 5th
2000 Pan American Championship - 3rd
Personal: Missed the 2000 Olympics (aged 17); the team was selected through a point system instead of a Trials. Won the Trials in 2004, but the US did not qualify that weight class, so she did not make the trip to Athens. Took up judo at age five. Sayaka’s boyfriend is Nate Torra, also an elite judoka, and is coached by Sayaka’s father, David. In 2000, Sayaka served as a training partner for those competitors who had qualified for the Sydney Games. Seven-time US champion (2000 - 2005, 2007). World Championship team member 2001, 2003, 2005.
RONDA ROUSEY - 70kg
Age: 21. DOB: January 1st, 1987, Los Angeles, CA.
Residence: Wakefield, MA.
Height: 5’ 7”. Weight: 155 lbs
Career Highlights:
2007 World Championships - Silver medal
2007 Pan American Games - Gold medal
2007 US Championships - Gold medal
2007 Pan Am Championships - Bronze medal
2006 World Junior Championships - Bronze medal
2006 Pan American Junior Championships - Gold medal
2006 Pan American Championships - Silver medal
2006 Junior World Championships - Bronze medal
Personal: Ronda’s silver medal from last year’s World Championships was the first medal for a US woman since 1995. The last woman to claim a gold medal at a World senior Championship was AnnMaria DeMars. Not coincidentally, she is Ronda’s mother. Ronda is coached by NYAC Hall of Famer, Jimmy Pedro, a two time Olympic medalist.
Connect to Ronda’s blog via the Road to Beijing at www.nyac.org
TAREJE WILLIAMS-MURRAY - 60kg
Age: 23. DOB: November 9th, 1984, Bronx, NY
Residence: Wakefield, MA
Height: 5’ 7”. Weight: 132 lbs
Career Highlights:
2004 Olympic Games - DNP (Did not place)
2008 Olympic Trials - 1st
2008 US Championships - 1st
2008 Pan American Championships - 3rd
2007 US Championships - 1st
2007 Pan Am Games - 7th
2006 US Championships - 3rd
2004 US Championships - 1st
2003 US Championships - 1st
World Championship team member - 2005, 2007
Personal: Taraje means “to expect” in Swahili. In November, 2007, he was diagnosed with anemia and now sleeps with a hypoxic generator that simulates high altitude - similar to those devices worn by distance runners - and that also promotes normal red blood cell production. Taraje is coached by NYAC Hall of Famer, Jimmy Pedro.
TRAVIS STEVENS - 81kg
Age: 22. DOB: February 28th, 1986, Tacoma, WA
Residence: Glenville, NY
Height: 5’ 11”. Weight: 178 lbs
Career Highlights:
2008 Olympic Trials - 1st
2008 Pan American Championships - 2nd.
2007 World Championship team member
2007 Pan American Games - 1st (team)
2005 Pan American Junior Championship - 2nd (team)
Personal: Signed up for judo by mistake as a six year old. Had intended to sign up for karate at the local community center after having seen The Karate Kid. His Olympic Trials victory in Las Vegas came with some controversy. In the final, against NYAC team-mate Aaron Cohen, Cohen was awarded the match less than a minute and a half into the golden score period. After deliberation, the referee withdrew the point. Less than 30 seconds later Travis threw Cohen, taking the win and booking a ticket to Beijing. Coached by NYAC Hall of Famer and Olympic silver medalist, Jason Morris.
BRIAN OLSON - 90kg
Age: 35. DOB: March 6th, 1973, Tallahassee, FL
Residence: Colorado Springs, CO
Height: 6’ 3”. Weight: 198 lbs
 Career Highlights:
2000 Olympic Games - 7th
1997 World Championships - 3rd
1999 Pan American Games - 1st
Personal: The Beijing Games will be Brian’s fourth Olympic competition. In Atlanta (1996), he lost in the third round; in Sydney (2000), he placed 7th; and in Athens (2004), he went out in the round of 16. Brian began competing in judo at age six. His coach is 1984 Olympic bronze medalist, Ed Liddie. His mother carried the torch in the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay. Brian retired following the 2004 Games, but returned to competition in October of 2007.
JOEL BRUTUS (Haiti) - 100kg
Age: 34. DOB: January 1st, 1974
Height: 5’ 11”. Weight: 220 lbs
 Career Highlights:
2004 Olympic Games - DNP (Did not place)
2007 Pan Am Games - 3rd
For video of Joel’s Olympic training, go to the
"Video" link on the left
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