PAN PACIFIC MASTERS GAMES: Tsujimoto happy with silver

James Perkins | 30th November 2010

Toshi Tsujimoto won a silver medal at the Pan Pacific Masters Games on the Gold Coast.

MURWILLUMBAH fighter Toshi Tsujimoto overcame injury to win a martial arts silver medal at the recent Pan Pacific Masters Games on the Gold Coast.

The 58-year-old disciple of judo improved upon his last effort at the Masters Games in 2006 when where he secured bronze in the middleweight division.

This year Tsujimoto competed in the 50-69 years lightweight category and came up against former Australian judo champion Steve Potter in the gold medal fight.

While he didn’t take the gold, he achieved his goal of improving on his 2006 performance.

“In 08 I was injured and wasn’t able to get the silver, but this time I got the silver and I am happy,” he said.

Tsujimoto admits his body isn’t what it used to be, but he is keen to try and go one better in two years time.

“I am getting older and have injured many parts of my body,” he said.

“My body is a bit like a second-hand car, so it makes it hard to fight.

“If I can fight properly, I will go again.”

Tsujimoto started Judo in Japan and has competed in judo since he was a teenager.

But he had to give the sport up due to work commitments while in his 20s.

He took up judo again in 2003 and has been fighting ever since.

Tsujimoto said Murwillumbah reminded him a lot of his home country.

“I like Murwillumbah quite a lot, it is a small country town near a big volcano. It reminds me of one of the hot spring towns in Japan,” he said.

“Japanese volcanoes are still alive, so there are many hot springs. I love to stay there.”

He said he would be happy to talk to people about judo, Japanese culture or the Japanese language.

They can contact him on 0405 454 612 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0405 454 612 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

“I can teach something of Japan,” he said. .