American Performance on Day 1 of the Gold Coast Oceania Open

On the first day of the event, the USA won a total of six medals, with the men’s team bagging two bronzes and the women’s team doing really well, winning a silver and three bronzes. 

Men’s -60kg
This was a category dominated by Yang Yung Wei (TPE). But Christopher Velazco did well to win a bronze medal here. It was a small category and after winning his first match against the other Taiwanese in this division, Chiu Wei-Jie, he was in the semifinals. There, he lost to Maxime Merlin (FRA). That put him into the repechage where he defeated Muhammad Rizi Maulana (INA) for the bronze medal.

Women’s -48kg
The lightest women’s category was also one of the tiniest in terms of participation. Maria Celia Laborde had a bye in the first round which meant her first match was already the semifinal. There she defeated Chiu Chih-Jou (TPE) only to lose to another Taiwanese, Lion Chen-Hao, in the final to end up with silver.

Men’s -66kg
Bilegt Erdenetsogt defeated Conrad Hynes (NZL) in the first round and then lost to Vas Middleton (AUS). Meanwhile, in Pool D, Lenny Sheynfeld also won his first match, against Wong Ka Ki (HKG) and similarly, lost his second match, to Petros Christodoulides (CYP). Erdenetsogt lost his repechage match against Lin Chong-You (TPE). Sheynfeld, however managed to win his repechage bout against Timeo Tournier (AUS). That pit him up against Middleton of Australia, whom Sheynfeld defeated to earn himself a bronze medal.

Women’s -52kg
Malia Soberano won her first match against Li Lok Iu (HKG) this thrust her into the semifinal where she lost to Shraddha Kadubai Chopade (IND). She then lost her bronze medal match against Ria Kney (NZL).

Men’s -73kg
The USA did not have any player in this division.

Women’s -57kg
Mariah Holguin had a bye in the first round and then defeated Febriany Dinny (INA) to make it to the semifinal. There, she lost to Pihla Matikainen (FIN). She then defeated Liu Tzu-Yun to win a bronze medal.

Women’s -63kg
The USA had two players in this division, Emily Daniela Jaspe and Karlee Carrouth. Unfortunately, both were in the same Pool and after each got a bye in the first round, they were drawn against each other in the second round. Carrouth was the one who got through to the semifinal. There, she lost to Iva Oberan (CRO). Both USA players did well in the repechage. Jaspe defeated Saya Middleton (AUS) and then Qona Christie for the bronze. Carrouth defeated Yuan Pei Chun (TPE) for her bronze.