Strong competition for judo titles

Press, 22 October 1981, Page 24

Strong competition for judo titles

Particular interest will be taken in the performances of the New Zealand team members who recently competed in Australia when the South Island judo championships are held at St Thomas’s College over Labour Day week-end.

Among them are Mark Nugent, Michael McHugh and Kevin O’Connor, all of Canterbury in the men’s division. The women's open section appears more qlear-cut, with Sandra Manderson (Canterbury) firmly favoured.

Stephen Muir (boys), Mark Muir and Andrew Hundleby (intermediate boys) and Kim Gilbert (girls) are others who will be strong candidates for titles. Shelly Templeton, of Dunedin who was unfortunate to suffer a broken leg last year, should gain compensation by doing well in the young women’s division. In the men’s open section, two Canterbury contestants with recent overseas experience, Graham Spinks and Mike Smith, will recieve plenty of opposition from Shaun O’Leary (Southern area), who is the present

Canterbury Invitation Open champion.

Others who should be prominent in the respective weight divisions and who could surprise in the open events include Dave McDonald (Invercargill), the stylish John Hart (Nelson), Paul Dabner, Wayne Carter, John Moody (Canterbury) and Graham Jones (Ashburton).

A record entry of more than 280 competitors reflects the increased interest in judo as a sport and a means of self-defence.