IBSA Baku Grand Prix

Ben Goodrich Wins Bronze at the IBSA Baku Grand Prix

USA Judo’s top para-judoka won a bronze medal at the IBSA Baku Grand Prix yesterday, May 14, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

After tough matches in the preliminary and repechage rounds against strong federations, Goodrich fought in the finals against Antonio Tenorio from Brazil (4x Gold, 1x Silver, 1x Bronze Paralympic Medalist). With 1:44 left in the match, Tenorio came in for an attack, but Goodrich anticipated the low seoi nage (shoulder throw) and responded well by turning early and putting Tenorio on his side for a wazari. The nail-biter match lasted the full 4-minutes with Goodrich winning by a wazari.

“Well there is another amazing trip in the books” explained Goodrich to everyone on Facebook. “Thank you everyone for the support. I wanted to break through to the medal stand and I am so excited to say I made that happen this week. Looking forward to the next set of goals for world championships in Fort Wayne!”