Alex Shvartsman wins Gold at Pan American Judo Championships

This past weekend 12 year old Alex Shvartsman of Cohen Brothers Judo Club traveled to Dominican Republic with Team USA (kids ages 11-14) for the Infantile Pan American Judo Championships.

Alex made weight for the -38 kilo division (84 pounds) where he had 15 other athletes in his weight group. He beat his first opponent from Dominican Republic in the first round to set up a quarter-final against another athlete form DOM which he would beat very easy. That set him up with a semi-final match against a very strong athlete from Ecuador. Alex scored early on a very nice hip technique and was able to secure the win and a birth into the finals against another American who Alex previously beat in the summer.

In the final, Alex fought a very long, tough strategic match against a very good athlete. Alex was able to capitalize in sudden death overtime to score a point for the win and become Champion. Alex said "I am very happy with my win and was very surprised on how much better my opponent got since the summer, but I believe in my coaches and my training so I was never worried at anytime in the match, I just kept calm and waiting for my opportunity"

RJ Cohen who is the head coach of Cohen Brothers Judo Club based out of 150 N Fairway Drive in Vernon Hills said "we were watching Alex's matches live and talking with him on the phone after every match to give him his report and strategy for the next round. Alex has been a champion since day 1 when he started at 3 years old. This is only a small stepping stone and the best is yet to come. Alex has a very bright future in Judo".

For more information please visit www.cohensjudoclub.com or https://www.facebook.com/Cohen...