In the past decade, USA Judo has made strides in terms of its size, legitimacy and competitive level. But on Thursday, it got a firsthand look at just how far it still has to go before it can catch the best in the Americas.
Cuba and Brazil combined to win 15 medals during the first day of the Pan American Championships, judo's last leg of international Olympic qualifying, held at the James L. Knight Center in downtown Miami.
The biggest surprise of the day was an early round loss by Ronda Rousey (70 kilograms), arguably the best judoka the U.S. has to offer.
Rousey, who has never lost to another American on U.S. soil, sustained a knee injury during her preliminary match against Yalennis Castillo and was defeated with seven seconds remaining in the bout.
''What worried me was the way she fell,'' Team USA manager Leo White said. ``It was one of those awkward falls.''
She rebounded to qualify for the bronze-medal match by defeating Canadian Catherin Roberge with an Ippon eight seconds into the match.
''She really makes it look easy,'' Team USA coach Jhonny Prado said.
But Roberge would have her revenge, defeating Rousey in the bronze-medal match.
After the first day of competition, only one American earned any accolades. Travis Stevens played his way to the gold-medal match at 81 kilograms before falling to Brazil's Guilherme Luna. Stevens would have to settle for the silver.
Miami's Anthony Turner overcame a disappointing start, losing to Albenis Rosales of Argentina, but fought his way into a bronze match.
Turner would lose to Dominican Jose Vasquez on a series of four penalties, a highly unlikely outcome in judo.
The final match-ending call drew the ire of Team USA fans.
Turner still gave the United States a heavyweight slot in the Beijing Olympics, but to earn his spot in Beijing, he must perform well in next month's U.S. individual trials in Las Vegas.
Cuba continued to display dominance in the sport.
Driulis Gonzalez defeated Brazilian Danielli Yuri in the women's 63-kilogram weight class and was mobbed by media and teammates.
''The competition was better than I thought,'' Gonzalez said.
``I knew we could do it, but it's still hard to believe.''
Gonzalez was joined in the gold-medal winner's circle by compatriots Yurisel Laborde and Idalis Ortiz.
However, Cuban favorite Oscar Brayson (100-plus kilogram) was upset by Brazilian Walter Santos.
Eduardo Santos, who earlier in the day defeated American Garry St. Leger, won Brazil's first of four gold medals when he topped Argentina's Diego Rosatti.
Brazilian fighters met Cubans in the gold-medal rounds in four of eight weight classes.
''We are still working, getting better, but these guys are really good,'' Prado said.
His team will have an opportunity to redeem itself with eight more qualifying classes Friday.
Other strong showings included Canada and Argentina, each with four total medals.
The Pan Am Championships continue at 10 a.m. Friday.
