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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, May 2, 2011

Contact: Claudia Drago

(305) 818-7188

cdrago@miamisports.org

　

OLYMPIC QUALIFIER JUDO WORLD CUP TO BE HOSTED AT DORAL GOLF RESORT & SPA IN MIAMI

 

MIAMI (May 2, 2011) - USA Judo, the National Governing Body for the Olympic sport of Judo in the United States, has announced that the International Judo Federation World Cup which will serve as a qualifier for the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games will be held July 1^st - 2^nd at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa.

 

This prestigious World Cup for the sport of Judo is presented with the support of the Miami-Dade Sports Commission, Miami-Dade County Commissioner and Miami-Dade Sports Commission Chairman Jose "Pepe" Díaz, and the City of Doral.

 

While in 2010 the competition attracted 45 countries from Asia, Africa, Oceania, Europe, and Latin America; this year the Judo World Cup is expecting more than 700 athletes and officials from 54 countries. Some of the participating countries include Korea, France, Australia, England, Brazil, Turkey, Spain, the United States and many others.

"We are honored to welcome the USA Judo World Cup to the City of Doral", said Chairman of the Miami-Dade Sports Commission and Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Díaz. "Miami-Dade County did a wonderful job hosting the Judo World Cup in 2010 and I truly believe that this prestigious event will bring not only excitement but also international recognition and economic impact for Miami-Dade County. We are looking forward, once again, to see these young athletes as they compete with one goal in their minds: the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London", added Commissioner Díaz.

 

All delegations will be staying at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa with actual competition taking place in the Legends Ballroom on the resort property.

"We are very proud to be hosting the International Judo Federation World Cup in our beautiful City for the second year. We look forward to welcoming the athletes from all the different nations and showing them why Doral is the premier place to live, work, learn and play," said Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez.

 

The World Cup competition will begin Friday, July 1st at 10:00 a.m. with athletes fighting in preliminaries until 5:00 p.m. Finals will begin at 5:30 p.m. The World Cup will include athletes competing in seven (7) men’s and seven (7) women’s weight divisions.

 

"This year’s World Cup will surpass last year quality of competition as China and Russia has already confirmed participation. We expect to have over 50 of the best Olympic Judo teams from around the world here in Doral-Miami competing. The local youth will be able to see the very best Olympians compete in this great martial arts sport. Of course, this is only possible due to the support that the City of Doral, Miami Dade County and Miami Dade Sport Commission is giving us to bring this event to the area. This is a competition that local fans do not want to miss.", said José Humberto Rodriguez, USA Judo CEO.

 

The USA World Cup will be nationally televised on Versus Sports Channel on July 15^th from 5:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. (EST) thanks to an agreement between USA Judo and The United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

 

"We couldn’t be happier to have this prestigious event back in Miami at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa," said Mike Sophia, Executive Director of the Miami-Dade Sports Commission. "Not only is it a great boost to the local economy to have teams from around the world come here to compete, we have a greater sense of pride knowing so many of the top young athletes in the sport come from right here in South Florida. Johny Prado does a great job developing some of the top judo talent in the country, right here in our backyard."

 

Following the World Cup, the U.S. Open will be held on Sunday, July 3^rd at the same site with most of the athletes who participated at the World Cup facing off once again, plus about 200 more USA elite judokas. Competition for the U.S. Open will begin at 7:00 a.m. with finals to follow at the conclusion of each weight division.

 

The City of Miami has been home to numerous international judo tournaments in the past, including the 2010 Judo World Cup, the 2008 Pan American Championships and the 2006 U.S. Open Championships.

Those wishing to find more information on the World Cup may do so by visiting www.judoworldcupmiami.com or www.usjudo.org

 

 

ABOUT THE MIAMI-DADE SPORTS COMMISSION:

The Miami-Dade Sports Commission was created by the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners in 2003, and opened for business in April of 2004. 　The Sports Commission promotes youth, amateur and professional sports in Miami-Dade County, and works to secure sports events that will generate economic impact for the community. Since beginning full operation in 2004, the Miami-Dade Sports Commission has secured over 125,000 room nights, $150 million in economic impact, and more than 50 events, including the 2005 & 2006 FHSAA Football Finals, the 2006 Florida’s Sunshine State Games, the 2007 US Fencing Summer Nationals, the 2009 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Regional, and the 2009 USA Junior Olympic Girls’ Volleyball Championships.

 

The Miami-Dade Sports Commission is a proud partner of the United State Olympic Committee’s Community Partner program.

For more information about the Miami-Dade Sports Commission, please visit www.miamisports.org

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