After the Australian Championships....

The Australian Championships were held over the long weekend in June. Overall NSW did an awesome job coming away with the majority of medals. It was an interesting experience for me being on the other side of the fence for this competition. ie: coaching and not competing. With my knee only 4 weeks out from a reconstruction I was only of use in the "coaching chair". But I must say it was an enjoyable experience, although frustrating at times!! I definately have a new found respect for my own coaches and what we put them through!!

The over all results were:

GOLD SILVER BRONZE TOTAL

QLD 8 10 12 30

VIC 11 5 9 25

NSW 23 22 28 73

TAS 3 2 2 7

NT 0 1 3 4

SA 6 1 5 12

WA 10 11 18 39

ACT 6 2 5 13

For NSW Judo, I believe the results are greater than expected and indicates a healthy future for the sport here. It was especially pleasing for me to see so many of my junior clubmates from UNSW do so well. As a result some are off to the Cadet World Championships in Kiev in August.

For the seniors, the team has been selected for the World Championships in Paris in August. I have been selected in the U/63kg division and its a race against time to be fit and injury free for this competition.

Its only 9 weeks away and I am doing everything and anything that's physically possible to have my knee ready and be fighting fit come this time. I had a knee reconstruction using the LARS technique 6 weeks ago and the progress is unbelievable. This operation has allowed AFL footballers to come back and compete at 10 weeks.

I know there are "doubters" out there and to some degree...fair enough. But those that really know me, know my stubborn streak. Yes the rehab is painful.... yes there are days where you sit, cry and wonder ..."why me?" and yes there are days where you think..."is this really happening?" and "why am I putting myself through this?" This last question...."why am I putting myself through this?" is not easy to explain. However in simple terms....if you are or have been a serious competitive athlete you'll understand...

So the battle continues and it will make the end even more satisfying.

Having said that, it's fine to pump out these figures, but there is a mountain of work that goes into achieving this. I was lucky enough to be given a "cryocuff" ice machine after my operation. This was arranged through my physio and the company "cryocuff". This has been amazing for my rehab. It allows me to ice the knee for continuous periods whilst providing compression. From everything I've read and been told, its so important to keep swelling down for the knee to progress. This gadget has definately helped achieve that! It comes everywhere with me!

Next week some of the Aussies will compete in World Cups in South America. This will be hard to watch as I should be there and every competition is an opportunity to earn those important Olympic selection points. But its not possible and all I can do is refocus on the Worlds and comps after that.

Speaking of the World Champs...don't forget they will be strictly enforcing GI's as of the World Championships...Australian World Championship team members can get a discount on the top of the range ADIDAS judogi at JOLS:

The J930, with the new optical label, meets the rules for the next World
Championships, and beyond.
The price for Australian Team Members competing at the Cadet, Junior or Senior Worlds is:
adidas J930 White - $220.00
adidas J930 Blue - $255.00
...Sizes available are 150cm to 210cm, including half sizes.
That is $475.00 for a set plus $12.00 freight/handling.