2004 U.S. Open Judo Championships Las Vegas, NV September 25-26, 2004

Nearly 300 competitors from Canada, China, England, Mexico, and Japan were among the 28 countires that attended the nation's biggest competition, The U.S. Open Judo Championships. Competition took place at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Vitaly Vanyan represented the Mojica Judo in the Men's 60 Kilo Weight Division. (132 Pounds) Vitaly was one of 24 competitors. Vitaly's first match was against, Shintaro Nakano-Japan. Vitaly, still nursing his injury from Canada's Rendez Vous Judo Championship fought hard but lost to Nakano by penalties.  In order for Vitaly to continue competing, Nakano had to win his next two matches. Not only did Nakano win his next two matches, he remained undefeated to secure himself the division's Gold Medal. Vitaly' first victory in the repachage was against Darton Burrows-USA. His second victory was against another US player, Matthew Dias. Vitaly's third victory was against, Mashiro Yano-Japan, puting him into the Bronze Medal round.    His Bronze Medal match was against Canada's Gonzalo Ibanez. Seconds before the match was to end, Vitaly did a beautiful throw which was called Ippon, to earn him the Bronze. Vitaly's 2004 US Open Judo Championship Record 4 Wins by Ippons/1Loss

Frazer Will-Silver (Canada), Shintaro Nakano-Gold (Japan), VITALY VANYAN - BRONZE, Yasunori Ito - Bronze (Japan)

Yvonne, Mr. Vanyan, Rene, Vitaly, Tony, Christine, Bob, Brandon

2004 Pictures