News

UNSW Hosts Champion Japanese Judoka
06 May 2003

While disappointed that the planned visit by a judo team from Saitama University has been cancelled , the Uni of NSW club has benefited from having one of their star players here for a short time.

Honami Yoshizawa is a 3rd dan, and 2001 All-Japan student champion in the 63kg category. She has also achieved considerable success as a member of the Japanese National team, taking a bronze medal in the Fukuoka Women's International in 2001.

Watching Honami on the mat is to see an example of Japanese style judo at its best. She stands erect, moves smoothly and attacks with speed and precision. Her favourite techniques are Uchimata, Seoinage and Osotogari ? all on the left, as is common with many modern Japanese fighters. She backs these up with crisp ashiwaza, and is devastating in newaza?just ask those who have trained with her!

This is not Honami?s first visit to Sydney?she was here some twelve years ago as a youngster with the Obusuma Judo club under coach Norio Kasahara.

The UNSW club has been doing its best to entertain Honami during her visit. She has been staying with Sonya Chervonsky, and taking in the sights of Sydney with a number of our members. Let?s hope she hasn?t been led too far astray!!

Durng her stay, Honami competed in the NSW State Championships on 23 March at Sydney Olympic Park, easily taking out the womens 63kg division. Her five-second demolition of strong Yvonne Mitchell with left uchimata was something to see!

Having someone of Honami?s ability here to train with has been a great experience for our players ? even if only for a short time.