Armed Forces athletes from the Air Force, Army, Cost Guard, Marine Corps and Navy (Active duty, National Guard and Reserves), hit the mat 29-30 April 2011 at the Judo Senior National Championships in Orlando, FL.  To qualify for the Armed Forces Judo team, Military athletes submitted applications to LTC Hector Morales, the Armed Forces Judo Coach, who evaluated athletes based on National and International experience and credentials to fight at the senior nationals. The senior national also severed as the tournament where Military athletes were selected to represent the Armed Forces Judo Team at the 5th Military World Games, which takes place 13-25 July 2011, in Rio Brazil. 

These great military athletes competed in the senior division and represented their respective services well in pool of nationally ranked and World Class athletes. CPT Michelle Kruse (Army), CPT Amber Jones (Marines), and IT4 Robert Turnquest (Navy) won matches in their respective divisions before falling late in the consolidation bracket. IT4 Bobby Yamashita (Navy) and SFC Michael Prieditis (Army) took the bronze medal in the 81kg and 100+kg divisions respectively. An outstanding performance by all these Warriors who manage to carry their military duties while at the same time preparing for high level competition.

On Friday, after regular competition, a ‘fight off” was conducted for the 73kg and 90kg spots. USA Judo, demonstrated exceptional support of the Armed Forces team by their willingness to officiate the “fight off”.  Athletes fought for one of the 7 spots on the team which will compete against pre-Olympians and Olympians at the 2011 Military World Games in July.
Military athletes who qualified for the 2011 Armed Force Judo team are:

66kg - CPT Ramon Torres-Guzman (Army)

73kg - PFC Misael Velazquez (Army NG)

81kg – PO3 Bobby Yamashita (Navy)

90kg – PO2 Robert Turnquest (Navy)

100kg – LT  Matthew Lewis (Navy)
            
100+kg – SFC Michael Prieditis (Army)
         
Women’s Team

52kg – Capt Amber Jones (Marines Reserve)

78kg – CPT Michelle Kruse (Army)

Head Coach – LTC Hector R. Morales (Army)

Assistant Coach – MAJ Ben Ring (Army)

Medical – Mr. Ein Wood (Army WCAP)

Team Manager – Mr. Darrell Manuel (Director, Army Sports Office)
           
The team will reassemble in July for a 10 day training camp in preparation to participate in team and individual completion at the 5th Military World Games.