Saturday, February 15, 2003

U.S. Karate Team Defeats Team Mexico 15-7 In 2003 Titan Games

SAN JOSE, CALIF. – The United States Karate Team won eight of eleven matches against Mexico to take the 2003 Titan Games Team title, 15-7, this afternoon in competition in the Event Center at San Jose State University.

The United States Karate Team’s performance was highlighted by the 8-0 victory by Ali Anissipour over Armando Medina of Mexico. American Tommy Hood also delivered a clutch performance, upsetting Alonso Murayama (Mexico) by the score of 2-1.

Anissipour was pleased with his performance as he wowed the crowd with his dazzling display of Karate skill in this inaugural Titan Games. “He (Medina) is a good competitor. I give him all of the respect in the world. But in front of this crowd at the Titan Games, I had the adrenaline going; I felt excited and took it to him pretty hard. I feed off of the crowd and this atmosphere. We compete all around the world, we have a packed schedule, but this is my first time in an Olympic family event and we’re here to show that we belong in the Olympics.”

Developed by the USOC in partnership with the affiliated NGBs and hosted by the San Jose Sports Authority and the City of San Jose, the Titan Games features a "USA versus the World" format in dual and triangular meets. The Titan Games venue accommodates four platforms with competition continuously happening on at least three platforms. The event's format is the first of its kind and is being staged over three finals-only format sessions at the 5,000-seat Event Center at San Jose State University. Team and individual winners will be named by sport and weight classification, with the honor of "Ultimate Titan" up for grabs.

ESPN2 will delay broadcast the event with hour-long programs on March 29, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. (EST), and March 30, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. (EST).

Tickets for The Titan Games Tickets are available at all San Jose Ticketmaster locations and at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available directly through the involved National Governing Bodies. Olympic fans using their Visa card to purchase tickets will receive an additional $4 off the pre-sale ticket price. All ticket holders will also receive a free 2002 Olympic Winter Games beret.

Results:

Women’s -53 kg/116.6 lbs. - Marta Embriz (MEX) def. Eliza Cabanig (USA), 8-1.

Men’s -60 kg/132 lbs. - Neil Estaris (USA) def. Reuben Navarro (MEX), 7-1

Women’s -60 kg/132 lbs. - Maile Chinen (USA) def. Yadira Lira (MEX), 6-2

Men’s -65 kg/143 lbs. - George Kotaka (USA) def. Xavier Jauregul (MEX), 4-1

Women’s +60 kg/132 lbs. - Elisa Au (USA) def. Leticia Montoya (MEX), 4-3

Men’s -70 kg/154 lbs. - Adam Older (USA) def. Gabriel Garcia (MEX), 10-5

Women’s Open - Yadira Lira (MEX) def. Elisa Au (USA), 5-4

Men’s -75 kg/165 lbs. – Tommy Hood (USA) def. Alonso Murayama (MEX), 2-1

Men’s -80 kg/176 lbs. – John Fonseca (USA) def. Armando Medina (MEX), 5-1

Men’s +80 kg/176 lbs. – Ali Anissipour (USA) def. Vicente Briones (MEX), 8-0

Men’s Open – Alonso Murayama (MEX) def. Billy Finnegan (USA), 6-4

For more information, please contact the USOC Media and Public Relations Division at (719) 866-4529.