USABA Judo Training Camp & 40 TH Annual Northglenn Judo Championshipst

The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) is pleased to host a judo training camp in conjunction with the 40 TH Annual Northglenn Judo Championships. The tournament site will also serve as the play off venue for athletes contesting qualified weight categories for the U.S. Paralympic Judo Team set to compete in Beijing, China in September, 2008.

The training camp is open to all current USABA athletes who have been consistently training in a local dojo over the past 12-months. USA judo coaches are invited to attend. Coaches will become familiar with techniques while working with some of America 's best low vision and blind judo athletes. Able bodied judo athletes are welcome to train along side USABA athletes. All athletes and coaches must have current membership in USABA and one of the following: USJA, USJF or USJI. All participants are required to register with USABA prior to the camp.

USABA athletes will also compete in the 40 TH Annual Northglenn Judo Championships, held Saturday, April 26, 2008 at the Northglenn High School, 601 W. 100 TH Place, Northglenn, CO. USABA athletes are required to pre-register for this tournament. The tournament registration form and additional information are available at: www.northglennjudo.org.

The training camp and tournament is the second of three mandatory events, USA Judo Senior E-Level tournaments for USABA judo athletes in preparation for the 2008 Paralympics Games.

Training Camp:

Where:
Olympic Training Center
1 Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs , CO 80909-5760

When:
Arrival: Friday - April 25, 2008 before 3:00 PM.
Camp: Sunday, April 27 to Wednesday, April 30, 2008.
Departure: Wednesday, afternoon, April 30, 2008.

Times:
Mornings 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (mat work & instruction)
Afternoons 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (throwing & instruction)
Evenings 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (free practice)

Funding for USABA athletes:

USABA will provide hotel funding to Elite and National Team members while in Denver. All other none ranked athletes will be required to pay $40.00 per day fee to the USABA for similar hotel accommodations. Team members are required to call Marc P. Vink to coordinate travel arrangements through the United Airlines Olympic Travel Desk. USABA will provide a $30 per day stipend associated with meals while in Denver on Friday and Saturday; and a $30.00 tournament entry fee to athletes having earned at least one point in a G or higher rated tournament within the last 6-months.

Faculty:

Raul Tamayo , has over 25-years experience working with college students and athletes with low vision. He is the Coach of the Stanford University Judo Team and successfully coached at the 2007 Para Pan American Games.

Stephen Moore , has over 15-years of experience as a competitor, coach and instructor. He is the Coach of the Denver Judo Club and is the first American to win a gold medal in the Paralympic Games.

Marc Vink , has over 45-year of experience as a competitor, coach and instructor. He is the Coach of the Blind Sports Organization in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania .

All USABA athletes and coaches must contact Marc Vink by March 15 TH to reserve your slot at the camp as limited spaces are available. Marc can be reached by phone: (609) 605-3495 or email: marc.vink@hrh.com .

For directions and other information, please contact Marc Vink or Mark Lucas by phone: (719) 630-0422 or email: mlucas@usaba.org

USABA, a member organization of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is a non-profit organization that provides training for blind and visually impaired athletes for competition in nine sports. USABA members range from blind children developing sports skills to elite athletes who train for competitions such as the Paralympic Games, the world's second largest athletic competition that draws more than 4,000 disabled athletes. Visit www.usaba.org for more information.

The United States Association of Blind Athletes, a member organization of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is a non-profit organization that provides training for blind and visually impaired athletes for competition in nine sports. USABA members range from blind children developing sports skills to elite athletes who train for competitions such as the Paralympic Games, which continually draws more than 4,000 disabled athletes.