ID :
15890
Thu, 08/14/2008 - 20:35
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https://oananews.org//node/15890
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Olympics: Suzuki tumbles, Nakazawa also ousted in Beijing
BEIJING, Aug. 14 Kyodo - The Japanese men solidified their lowly status in the most disappointing Olympics yet on Thursday with a crushing opening-round defeat by gold-medal hope Keiji Suzuki in the 100-kilograms category.
And just when they thought they had liftoff, the engines also ceased for Japan's female judoka, with Sae Nakazawa losing her first match at 78 kg to Athens bronze medalist Lucia Morico of Italy and failing to advance to therepechage round.
Suzuki, the 2004 Athens Olympic champion at over 100 kg, never got his offense up to speed against Tuvshinbayar Naidan and was sent tumbling onto his back when the unheralded Mongolian scooped up his legs and tackled him after 1minute, 26 seconds at Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium.
Suzuki had a chance to win at least a bronze but again appeared sluggish in his repechage match, losing after just 34 seconds to little-known German BenjaminBehrla by a similar leg-pulling technique.
After his defeat, the 28-year-old Ibaraki native remained on the mat kneeling with his head bowed between his knees, almost as if he were beggingforgiveness.
''I was thinking to myself, 'What are you doing?' That's all I could say for myself. I felt this was the end. Without beating one of my opponents there isno way to move on,'' Suzuki said.
Suzuki won the 2005 world championship at 100 kg but has since struggled despite managing to qualify for the Beijing Olympics. He said after Thursday's defeat that he has lost his drive in the sport and was considering hanging uphis uniform.
''I really thought that I would be perfect and I even knew that my opponents would attack me with those techniques, so I lost because of my weakness and their desire to win,'' said Suzuki, who had been aiming to become only thethird man in history to win Olympic gold in two weight classes.
''I have nothing left that I want to accomplish now. If I stand on the mat again I might be thrown down in the same way,'' said Suzuki, hinting he willretire.
Nakazawa, the 2007 world silver medalist, was hoping to follow the winning ways of compatriots Ayumi Tanimoto (63 kg) and Masae Ueno (70 kg), who have successfully defended their respective titles in dominant fashion in the past two days. But the 25-year-old fell flat in her match in her Olympic debutagainst Morico and lost on points.
''I was in good condition but my body wasn't moving naturally the way I wanted it to. I feel disappointed that I wasn't able to produce my best effort,'' saida teary-eyed Nakazawa.
Two-time Olympic champion Ryoko Tani (48 kg) and Olympic debutante Misato Nakamura (52 kg) had to settle for bronze medals, while Masato Uchishiba (66kg) defended his gold to win the only medal so far for Japanese men.
Perhaps Japan's sole consolation is its three golds, which is more than any country and outclasses traditional judo rivals France and South Korea who havenot won any titles.
In men's judo, Japan will have a final chance at redemption when Satoshi Ishii takes center stage in his Olympic debut in the men's over 100 kg on the last day of competition on Friday. Maki Tsukada will hope to win back-to-back goldmedals in the women's over 78-kg class.
And just when they thought they had liftoff, the engines also ceased for Japan's female judoka, with Sae Nakazawa losing her first match at 78 kg to Athens bronze medalist Lucia Morico of Italy and failing to advance to therepechage round.
Suzuki, the 2004 Athens Olympic champion at over 100 kg, never got his offense up to speed against Tuvshinbayar Naidan and was sent tumbling onto his back when the unheralded Mongolian scooped up his legs and tackled him after 1minute, 26 seconds at Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium.
Suzuki had a chance to win at least a bronze but again appeared sluggish in his repechage match, losing after just 34 seconds to little-known German BenjaminBehrla by a similar leg-pulling technique.
After his defeat, the 28-year-old Ibaraki native remained on the mat kneeling with his head bowed between his knees, almost as if he were beggingforgiveness.
''I was thinking to myself, 'What are you doing?' That's all I could say for myself. I felt this was the end. Without beating one of my opponents there isno way to move on,'' Suzuki said.
Suzuki won the 2005 world championship at 100 kg but has since struggled despite managing to qualify for the Beijing Olympics. He said after Thursday's defeat that he has lost his drive in the sport and was considering hanging uphis uniform.
''I really thought that I would be perfect and I even knew that my opponents would attack me with those techniques, so I lost because of my weakness and their desire to win,'' said Suzuki, who had been aiming to become only thethird man in history to win Olympic gold in two weight classes.
''I have nothing left that I want to accomplish now. If I stand on the mat again I might be thrown down in the same way,'' said Suzuki, hinting he willretire.
Nakazawa, the 2007 world silver medalist, was hoping to follow the winning ways of compatriots Ayumi Tanimoto (63 kg) and Masae Ueno (70 kg), who have successfully defended their respective titles in dominant fashion in the past two days. But the 25-year-old fell flat in her match in her Olympic debutagainst Morico and lost on points.
''I was in good condition but my body wasn't moving naturally the way I wanted it to. I feel disappointed that I wasn't able to produce my best effort,'' saida teary-eyed Nakazawa.
Two-time Olympic champion Ryoko Tani (48 kg) and Olympic debutante Misato Nakamura (52 kg) had to settle for bronze medals, while Masato Uchishiba (66kg) defended his gold to win the only medal so far for Japanese men.
Perhaps Japan's sole consolation is its three golds, which is more than any country and outclasses traditional judo rivals France and South Korea who havenot won any titles.
In men's judo, Japan will have a final chance at redemption when Satoshi Ishii takes center stage in his Olympic debut in the men's over 100 kg on the last day of competition on Friday. Maki Tsukada will hope to win back-to-back goldmedals in the women's over 78-kg class.
