Top judokas may clash

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33981, 23 October 1975, Page 30

Top judokas may clash

The likely clash between the highly-ranked black belts, Brian Cloynes and Ivor Endi-cott-Davies, should be the highlight of the South Island judo championships at the Bryndwr Y.M.C.A. on Saturday.

Cloynes (fourth dan) and Endicott-Davies (third dan) are certain to be the first and second seeds in the open class. Interest in their performances will be particularly high because of the lack of knowledge of their recent form. Endicott-Davies, a former Balclutha judoka now living in Christchurch, recently returned from Japan where he trained with the riot police,

but New Zealanders know something of his previous fine record in the sport. Cloynes. a British judoka, recently joined the Otago University club and is reputed to be very good in standing techniques—both left and right-handed—and to be a very determined contestant.

Roy McNicholl, the probable third seed in the class, is the only entrant in the heavy-weight section but it is likely that he will be matched with Peter Moore, a green belt in the young men’s (under 20) heavy-weight section.

The draw for the open has not yet been made up but if McNicholl meets Cloynes early on, some of the lighter men would have the chance to get through.

Endicott-Davies is certain to take the light heavy-

weight title but the perform ance of Les Tuck (Canterbury University) is certain to attract attention as he has only just returned to the sport, though he won many titles as a junior. Cloynes should win the middle-weight class but the rest of the field, which includes 10 brown belts, will be very evenly matched. Outstanding prospects are Russell Prince, the title-holder, and Graeme Jones, the 1973 champion. Jones dislocated his elbow shortly before the Canterbury championships last year and has had little competition during the last year. The man to watch could be the 19-year-old Canterbury University player, Dave Mair, who is likely to get all the points he needs for a black belt grading during the week-end.