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Billy Finnegan Fights Solo in Karate on Wednesday at His First Pan American Games
By Nicole Jomantas // USA Judo // July 25, 2007
(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) – At six feet, two inches tall and 187 lbs., Billy Finnegan (Port Washington, N.Y.) is an unlikely heavyweight, but will take on players who may have more than 50 lbs. on him when he competes in the +80kg division on Wednesday at the Pan American Games.
“I compete in the Open division a lot which is guys of all weights and I do pretty well. A lot of these guys will be bigger, but hopefully I’ll use my speed to get through,” Finnegan said. “I’ve fought a lot of these guys before. Some have beaten me; I’ve beaten them… It’s anybody’s game and everybody’s a threat.”
Finnegan, the only U.S. athlete competing in the karate competition this week, is one of the top candidates for a trip to the podium after winning the prestigious World University Championships in August in 2006 as well as the North American Cup in Monterey, Mexico earlier this year where he qualified to compete at the Games.
“Since I’m the only American, I’m really pushing for a gold medal. I’m trying not to let [the pressure] get to me, but it’s very important for me to win. I really want to do well for my country,” he said. “Four years ago I had an injury, so I watched a lot of my teammates go to the Games… It’s been a great experience so far and I’m really looking forward to Wednesday.”
Competition begins with preliminary rounds at 10 a.m. and concludes with finals at 4 p.m. at the Miecimo da Silva Complex.
For more information, contact Nicole Jomantas, Karate Press Officer, at 011-55-21-8890-3155 or Nicole.Jomantas@usajudo.us.
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