During the week August 13 until August 19 2007 there was the Philippine Olympic Festival (POF), held in Cagayan de Oro. The provinces of Mindanao contested against each other and among other sports events, a Judo tournament was part of the games.

To represent the province Misamis Oriental Judo and Wrestling School Jasaan (JWSJ) was asked to make a selection of judoka’s for Team Misamis Oriental.

 Because of the expensive judo suits, which the players themselves cannot afford, in normal times the players from JWSJ practice only in t-shirts and shorts. Only in preparation of a coming event the school borrows judo suits for free.

 Just two weeks before the tournament the school got the invitation to join. That’s why the players could practice with judo suits for 2 weeks only, while their opponents have already experience from maybe several years. And judo with suit gives whole new dimensions to the game.

 Besides that the players have never been to a big tournament and fought never against players from other clubs.

 For the pupils below 14 years there was a mini tournament. The other pupils had to fight in the category 14 – 18 years. Most of them in the weight category under 55 kg. That means that one from 14 and 35 kg sometimes had to fight against one from 18 and 54 kg. It didn’t make all contests really fair. But playing in a major tournament like this gives so much experience and there are only few tournaments here in Mindanao: joining is more important than winning!

 That’s why their performance at the Philippine Olympic Festival, with qualification contest to be send to the Final contest in Manila, surprised everybody. Even though our team was by far the youngest, they really showed their skills and their fighting spirit.

 With compliments to Coach Ron Schreuder from the President from the Philippine Amateur Judo Association, Mr. Carter and tournament director Mr. Ed Daang and others.

Here are the winners from Team Misamis Oriental:

 1^st  Prize winners:       Ian Dexter Navarro, Venus Sandiga, Joe Mark Guevara

2^nd Prize winners:       Hasan Hadjimalic, Jerome Ubina, Lady Winkle Guevara, Junel Canoy

3^rd Prize winners:       Charles Denzel Guevara, John Carlos Manos, Mark Kerrie Lanzaderas,  Cezar Piado

Here (later) the pictures

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For questions send your email to Ron Schreuder, Jasaan

(ron_schreuder@yahoo.com)