Marti Malloy Places Fifth at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Nicole Jomantas November 22, 2010

Marti Malloy

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – Two-time World Cup Champion Marti Malloy (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University) earned her first career top-five finish at a Grand Prix event on Monday when she placed fifth in Abu Dhabi.

After a first-round bye in the 57kg division, Malloy upset 2009 World medalist Kifayat Gasimova (AZE) when she countered Gasimova’s sode (sleeve throw) attempt to score a yuko (quarter-point) early in the match. The two battled for nearly four minutes, but Malloy held onto the lead to secure the win.

In the quarter-finals, Malloy attacked continuously against 2010 World medalist Ioulietta Boukouvala (GRE), but was caught for a yuko score in the second minute. Malloy made several solid throwing attempts, but couldn’t earn a score and placed fifth in the single elimination tournament.

Also competing in the 57kg division, Hana Carmichael (Wakefield, Mass. / NYAC / USA Judo National Team FORCE) had a first-round bye before facing 2010 European Champion Corina Caprioriu (ROU). Familiar with the Romanian from their first-round fight at the Senior Worlds in September, Carmichael threw her opponent for a waza-ari (half-point) with an o uchi gari (inner leg throw) during the first 30 seconds of the match. Caprioriu came back in the next minute, throwing Carmichael with a sode (sleeve throw) for a waza-ari to tie the match. In the third minute, Caprioriu threw Carmichael for an ippon (instant win).

Aaron Kunihiro (Wakefield, Mass. / NYAC / USA Judo National Team FORCE) competed in the 60kg division, but was thrown for ippon by 2010 World medalist Arsen Galstyan (RUS).

Competition continues on Tuesday when former World Cup medalists Travis Stevens (81kg) and Nick Delpopolo (73kg), both of the NYAC / USA Judo National Team FORCE programs in Wakefield, Mass., will take the mat.

Top five and U.S. results are as follows:

Men’s 60kg
1. Beslan Mudranov (RUS)
2. Arsen Galstyan (RUS)
3. Boldbaatar Chimed-Yondon (MGL)
3. Hovhannes Davtyan (ARM)
5. Jeroen Mooren (NED)
5. Ludwig Paischer (AUT)
5. Elio Verde (ITA)
5. Georgii Zantaraia (UKR)

Also Competed: Aaron Kunihiro (Wakefield, Mass. / NYAC / USA Judo National Team FORCE), 0-1

2. Alim Gadanov (RUS)
3. Serhiy Drebot (UKR)
3. Ulugbek Norkobilov (UZB)
5. Hevorh Hevorhyan (UKR)
5. Deniss Kozlovs (LAT)
5. Armen Nazaryan (ARM)
5. Sugoi Uriarte (ESP)

2. Liudmila Bogdanova (RUS)
3. Aurore Climence (FRA)
3. Laetitia Payet (FRA)
5. Carmen Bogdan (ROU)
5. Eva Csernoviczki (HUN)
5. Nataliya Kondratyeva (RUS)
5. Isabel Latulippe (CAN)

2. Erika Miranda (BRA)
3. Ana Carrascosa (ESP)
3. Marta Kuban (POL)
5. Rosalba Forciniti (ITA)
5. Aynur Samat (TUR)
5. Jaana Sundberg (FIN)
5. Lichuan Zhang (CHN)

2. Giulia Quintavalle (ITA)
3. Ioulietta Boukouvala (GRE)
3. Corina Caprioriu (ROU)
5. Yang Liu (CHN)
5. Marti Malloy (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
5. Ekaterina Melnikova (RUS)
5. Miryam Roper (GER)

Also Competed: Hana Carmichael (Wakefield, Mass. / NYAC / USA Judo National Team FORCE), 0-1

Tags: Aaron Kunihiro, Aaron Kunihiro, Hana Carmichael, Marti Malloy .