BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (February 16, 2008) Valerie Gotay (Harlingen, Texas / USA Judo National Training Site at Harlingen) came back from a first-round loss on Saturday to place fifth at the Budapest World Cup in Hungary.
Competing against Vesna Dzukic (SLO), the 2007 European U23 Championships silver medalist in the first round, Gotay lost by a koka (smallest points).
Nearly three hours later, Dzukic advanced to the semifinals and Gotay was back on the mat with the goal of fighting through the repechage to win bronze.
Gotay pinned Hungarian Alexandra Fuzesi (HUN) in her first match and threw Tatiana Shushakova (RUS) for ippon with an o uchi gari (major inner leg throw).
In the next round, Gotay pinned Yahaira Aguirre (ESP) in Golden score (overtime) to advance to the bronze medal match.
Gotay and World University Games Champion Nae Udaka (JPN) each picked up a penalty in the match, but Udaka earned the win with a yuko (quarter-point) score.
Competition continues on Sunday with the 63kg, 70kg, 78kg and +78kg divisions.
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