<< Peninsula News 13 August 2002 - Japanese judo players at Goodwill Games >>

Japanese judo players at Goodwill Games

Woy Woy Judo Club hosted 13 Japanese players at its 2002 Goodwill Friendship Games on August 3, which was dedicated to the memory of Holly Smith.

Holly lost her life tragically on Monday, July 29, in a light aircraft accident while completing her commercial pilot training in Melbourne.

Holly had been a member of Woy Woy Judo Club since the age of nine and was to compete in the Friendship Games, as she had in previous reciprocal visits with the Okayama Judo Club in Japan.

The games attracted a number of NSW players wishing to show respect for Holly. Judo (NSW) members came from Campbelltown, Liverpool, St Marys and Willoughby.

More than $350 was raised on the day and donated to the Abbotsleigh Holly Smith Memorial fund.

Visiting the Peninsula for four days, the Okayama club brought a team of 13 players and three officials.

The players ranged from nine to 17 years of age and were billeted with members of the Woy Woy club.

Okayama and Woy Woy have paid reciprocal visits since 1999.

Holly had visited Okayama with a team of nine others in 2001.

Senseis reported that the game on Saturday showed excellent standards of play, with Woy Woy fielding a team of 47 players, allowing the Japanese players to have the least four bouts each.

Okayama official Chika Kurozumi Sensei performed a ritual shinto prayer in traditional clothing, on Thursday night after a training section.

Member for Peats Ms Marie Andrews attended, speaking of her support of the club and presenting the National Titles representative with certificates.

Also attending was Mr Ron Finlayson from Ettalong Beach Memorial Club who played a part in Woy Woy's visit to Okayama in 2001.

Lindy Simmons, August 7