ASHLEY McKenzie was a broken man after his first-round defeat to the world’s number two at the ExCel Centre.
Several times the brave Maida Vale man bust into tears at the post-match press conference after he lost to Hiroaki Hiraoka by an ippon throw with 50 seconds left of the U60 kgs contest.
The automatic end to any judo contest was merely the extra kick in the teeth after the 23-year-old former European junior champion was penalised twice for ‘passivity’ half way through. Judges expect aggression at all times.
By then, Hiraoka was already a point ahead courtesy of an early yuko (1-0) but a pair of penalties the suffered by the west Londoner did nothing to help the cause, and it was mission impossible when the Japanese was gifted a further 10 points courtesy of a waza-ari.
In truth, the draw was anything but kind to the former Quinton Kynaston School student, but that barely registered through his grief.
“You know what, I couldn’t have cared less about the draw,” he said, “I just wanted to show what I can do and I gave it 100 percent.
“He’s tough guy and I hope he goes on to win – he deserves it.
“It’s been a long journey (for me) and the original plan was just to better myself through judo – and I know I’ve done that.”
