Travis Stevens takes silver at Pan Am Judo Championships

April 2, 2011 - PRLog -- GUADALARJA, MEXICO – Hot on the heels of a gold-medal win in Germany, Travis Stevens, a native of Tacoma, Wash., captured a hard-fought silver medal at the 2011 Pan American Judo Union Championships in Guadalarja Friday.

Stevens, a member of the 2008 Olympic Team, is hoping to repeat that honor in 2012, and he took a major step in the PJU event this weekend.

He opened the competition against Merwin Rodriguez of Venezuela, a strong left-handed fighter. Despite his strength, Stevens caught him with an arm lock in the first minute to win the match.

In his second match, Stevens faced a Mexican fighter – Carlos Castillo - who was unknown to him. Stevens approached the match with power, taking a deep grip on the Mexican’s back. The Mexican tried to kneel to counter, but Stevens caught him with a sacrifice throw to win the match.

In the semi-finals, Stevens faced Emmanuel Lucenti, a very experienced competitor from Argentina who is also a frequent medalist at the Pan Am event. However, in the second gripping exchange, Stevens caught him for an inner thigh throw to win the match.

In the final, he faced Leandro Guillheiro of Brazil, currently ranked second in the world.

“I was excited to fight him as I have always wanted to,” Stevens said.

The match went back and forth as both athletes nearly scored on each other, but couldn’t quite finish the fight off. However, very late in the match, the Brazilian caught Stevens with a major outside reap, landing a small score. It was enough to give the Brazilian the win, forcing Stevens to settle for a silver medal.

“I want to fight him again more now than before since he beat me,” Stevens said. “I don’t think it was a score and I also feel that the time ran out before he threw me. I want that match back as I know I can beat him.”

“Travis looked in a class of his own knocking down opponents one after another in spectacular fashion all day long until the final,” Jimmy Pedro, Stevens’ coach, said. “Against the world number two, Leandro Guihiero from Brazil, Travis lost a very tough battle getting scored on with just two seconds left as he attempted an osoto (outside reaping throw) that got countered.”

Up next, Stevens will be heading to Russia for two weeks of training, followed by a week of training in Italy. At the end of May, he will compete in the Moscow Grand Slam and then return for several events in North and South America over the summer.

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About Travis Stevens
A native of Tacoma, Wash., Travis Stevens trains with Team FORCE under the direction of former world champion and two-time Olympic medalist Jimmy Pedro. A member of the 2008 Olympic judo team, Stevens is a hands-on favorite to represent the United States at the 2012 Olympics. He receives funding and additional support from USA Judo, the national governing body for Olympic judo, and the New York Athletic Club.