In spite of the return of 1992 gold medalist Nazim GUSEYNOV of Azerbaijan, competition in the extra lightweight class is close with the uprising of veterans. From Japan, Ryuji SONODA won the 1993 World Championships and, although he placed third at the 1995 Championships, looks for his first Olympic medal. Competing head to head with the other contenders are Nikolai OJEGUINE (RUS) and Georgi VAZAGACHVILI (GEO), who finished first and second respectively at the 1995 World Championships. VAZAGACHVILI also placed third at the 1993 World Championships.
Half-lightweight (65kg)
Although filled with strong contenders, no one athlete stands out above the rest. Udo QUELLMALZ of Germany made an unexpected comeback at the 1995 World Championships when he defeated Yukimasa NAKAMURA of Japan in the finals. During the 1993 Championships, NAKAMURA, who's strength lies in his ability of quick thinking and powerful moves, finished first with QUELLMALZ in third who had just won a bronze medal in 1992 which proves that judo competition can change at any moment.
Lightweight (71kg)
On a mission, Delsuke HIDESHIMA of Japan searches for the gold medal after winning the 1995 World Championships. A fighter from the United States, James PEDRO proved to be tough in this weightclass and finished third after the repechage competition. Kwak Dea SUNG of Korea was unknown heading into the world championships until he beat favorites Martin SCHMIDT of Germany in the first round and went on to defeat PEDRO in the semifinals. SUNG placed second at the Championships after losing to HIDESHIMA.
Half-middleweight (78kg)
Having won the gold medal during the 1992 Games, Toshihiko KOGA of Japan moved up a weightclass and now competes as a half-middleweight. Jason MORRIS, who easily qualified at the U.S. Olympic Trials, looks to improve upon his silver medal finish in 1992. At the 1993 World Championships, MORRIS placed third but struggled at the most recent world championships and lost in the second round to Djamel BOURAS, who ended up third.
Middleweight (86kg)
Moving up a weightclass, JEON Ki-Young of Korea won the 1995 World Championships by defeating gold medalist Hidehiko YOSHIDA of Japan, who also competed at the half-middleweight. YOSHIDA was unbeaten in this weightclass before the 1995 Championships, where in the final JEON managed to win the final bout. Nicolas GILL of Canada placed third at the world championships along with Oleg MALTSEV of Russia.
Half-heavyweight (95kg)
In a surprise upset, Antal KOVACS of Hungary lost in the first round of the world championships. He hopes to avenge his loss to Pawel NASTULA of Poland and reclaim his Olympic gold medal. Shigeru OKAIZUMI of Japan, who constantly is on the attack using both the left and right seoniage, defeated KOVACS on his way to third place. Russian athlete Dmitri SERGUEEV, 1992 bronze medalist, performed well during the world championships and earned the silver medal.
Heavyweight (+95kg)
Dominating the weightclass in recent years, David DOUILLET of France continues his winning ways by capturing the 1995 World Championship. Winning the 1992 bronze medal as well as the 1993 World Championship, he defeated Francik MOLLER of Germany in the final match. Also to watch in this weightclass is silver medalist Naoya OGAWA, who for the second time finished the world championships with a bronze medal.
The 1995 World Championships had even more contenders. While Japan walked away with two medals, Cuba won six total medals including two gold. Also fairing well at the world championships was Korea with four total medals. Two of them were gold.
Extra-lightweight (48kg)
Dominating this weightclass since her silver medal at the 1992 Olympic Games, Ryoko TAMURA of Japan has won 77 consecutive matches on her way to Atlanta. Her most recent world championships stance placed her against LI Aiyue of China in the finals. Trying to improve upon her 1992 bronze medal, Amarillis SAVON CARMENATY of Cuba gave TAMURA a struggle in the third round before succumbing to defeat and finishing third.
Half-lightweight (52kg)
A relative unknown entering the 1995 World Championships, Marie Claire RESTOUX of France claimed the top spot. Many eyes will be on returning gold medalist, Almudena MUNOZ MARTINEZ of Spain, who placed a disappointing fifth at the worlds after finishing second at the previous championships. Korean HYUN Sook Hee has recently moved up into medal contention with a typical Korean style of judo, taking a grip on the back of the collar.
Lightweight (56kg)
During the 1995 World Championships, 1992 silver medalist Moriko MIZOGUCHI of Japan failed to medal and had to qualify for the Olympic Games. Meanwhile 1992 bronze medalist Druilis Morales GONZALES of Cuba competed well and earned the top spot. JUNG Sun-Yong of Korea is another athlete to watch as she placed second at the world championships, proving to be a tough competitor.
Half-middleweight (61kg)
As the winner of the French International, JUNG Jung-Sook of Korea entered the world championships with energy and enthusiasm as she claimed the top spot. Looking forward to bringing this excitement into the Olympic Games, JUNG faces tough competition with the return of 1992 gold medalist Catherine FLEURY of France. After winning a silver medal in 1992, Yael ARAD dedicated her medal to the 11 Israelites who were killed by Arab terrorists in 1972. She returns to these Olympic Games in search of the gold medal, after finishing second and fifth, respectively, at the 1993 and 1995 World Championships.
Middleweight (66kg)
In one of the toughest fields of competitors, Odalis REVE JIMENEZ of Cuba and CHO Min Sun of Korea often face each other during final matches. CHO, who won last year's Hamilton Championships as well as the 1995 French and German Internationals, defeated REVE in the final match of the 1995 World Championships. Hoping to avenge this loss and regain her Olympic title, REVE will regroup and develop her strategy for the next possible showdown.
Half-heavyweight (72kg)
Coming out of retirement, Yoko TANABE proved herself worthy of another Olympic gold medal attempt by placing third at the 1995 World Championships. Ulla WERBROUCK of Belgium received the silver medal at the world championships although she won the French International, the German International and the European Championships. Defeating WERBROUCK, Diad LUNA CASTELLANO of Cuba, who finished second at the German International, proved herself worthy of a place at the Olympic Games as she strives to earn another first-place finish.
Heavyweight (+72kg)
The silver medalist at the Hamilton Championship, Noriko ANNO of Japan, tries for an Olympic gold after a disappointing fifth-place finish at the 1995 World Championships. Longtime rival ZHANG Ying of China defeated ANNO in the third round and advanced to the final match. There she faced tough defender Angelique SERIESE of Netherlands, who surprised many when she won the championship.
This is an official publication of The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Jennifer Knight and Dianna Drayson.
| The volunteer staff of the 1996 Olympic Games totaled 50,152. They worked an estimated 850,000 shifts. |