LaJust EBP used at Australian Youth Olympic Games Selections
LaJust Electronic Body Protectors were used at the recent Youth Olympic Games Selections, in Melbourne. Held at the Aqualink in Box Hill, the tournament was a small affair to select fighters in the age range of 15 and 16 years old to compete in Singapore YOG next year.
Western Australia was represented by 3 referees and fondly enough, only two fighters. The field of fighters were mostly Victorians, and to have 2 from WA out of 39 was okay. From memory, there were no fighters from Queensland.
Kennedy Blowfield’s division had 5 fighters, and being unseeded – Kennedy had to go through an elimination bout to enter the round-robin stage. Unfortunately, Kennedy’s first opponent (although also unseeded) appeared solidly built and almost a head taller than Kennedy. With the LaJust system, prior to each match, players must test out the system by kicking and scoring on the EBP with their feet; usually with 3 roundhouse kicks, 1 to the front and 1 to each flank. It was amazing how easily the point came up during the testing phase. During the middle of the match, it appeared to be a different affair on whether the EBP registers a point or not. Even with solid kicks, some accurate and some not, Kennedy walked away with fewer points and unable to enter the next phase of the selections. Better luck next time, Kennedy! (or should I say preparation?)
Teiha Gorton was the other WA representative. With only 3 in her division, she had a total of 2 fights and walked away with 2 wins to earn her Gold and a place with the YOG team. Congratulations and well done!
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%20posing%20before%20commencement%20of%20the%20day's%20event.jpg "International Referees (Helena, Greece and Kim Seng, Australia) posing before commencement of the World Championships")
