Next year, Leonhardt is guaranteed to return to the Pan Ams as the winner of USA Judo’s 2008 Pan Am Championships Membership Giveaway.

As announced in March, any person who was a currently registered member of USA Judo would be eligible to win a trip for two to the Pan American Championships, May 8-11 in Miami, Fla. If that person was a member of a USA Judo registered club, then his / her coach also would win a trip for two to Miami.

“It was very exciting for me to have had the opportunity to personally call Jonathan to give him the news of him winning this fantastic trip for four to Miami. We are all very happy for Jonathan and congratulate him and his club for winning this membership prize,” said USA Judo President Dr. Ron Tripp.

On Tuesday, USA Judo randomly selected a member number with the participation of U.S. Judo Association Executive Director Gary Goltz and U.S. Judo Federation Executive Director Robert Fukuda.

“It’s awesome to have won the trip. My plan is to make the Pan Am Team and compete in Miami, but now I know I’ll be able to bring my fiancée,” said Leonhardt, a four-time Senior National medalist in the +100kg division. “The Pan Ams are going to be two weeks before our wedding and, because of the Olympic Trials in June, we won’t be going on a honeymoon right away, so this can be our early honeymoon!”

The package includes:

• Airline tickets on United Airlines for two (plus your sensei and guest, if eligible)
• Limousine ride from airport to the Hyatt Regency Hotel (round trip)
• VIP Accreditation to the event
• Invitation to VIP reception
• Four nights stay at the Hyatt Regency Hotel (tournament headquarters hotel located next to the competition venue)
• Dinner for two at one of Miami's top restaurants
• VIP tickets for a Miami Marlins Game
• Welcome VIP gift bag for winner and guest(s)
• USA Judo Team Warm-ups for winner and guest(s)

“Congratulations to Jonathan and to his club, the USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University,” said Jose H. Rodriguez, USA Judo CEO. “Very soon we will be announcing a 2008 membership give reward program entailing a trip to the upcoming U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Judo and Wrestling to be held in Las Vegas. It is just one more way for us to increase the benefits of membership for our USA Judo family.”

For more information, contact Nicole Jomantas, USA Judo Director of Communications and Media Relations, at 719.271.9937 (cell) or Nicole.Jomantas@usajudo.us.