In around two weeks, the Formula 1 cars will be racing through the streets of Las Vegas again at high speed. Among other things, it goes over the world-famous “Strip” in the American desert metropolis. Two weeks before the premier class of motorsport, other athletes were already guests in Las Vegas. The Nevada city hosted the World Veterans Judo Championships. In the middle of it all was a man from the Verden district: the Oyten judo trainer Andreas Pajer. He brought the bronze medal with him to Germany.
Pajer took part in a World Cup for the sixth time – and won precious metal for the fourth time. After the success, the Enjoy Judo Oyten coach was overjoyed. “Mission successfully accomplished,” he commented on winning the bronze medal. Pajer also rewarded himself for the great effort he put in in the run-up to the World Cup. Because in order to be successful in Las Vegas, he trained hard. “I completed eleven months of preparation,” said the 60-year-old judoka.
To prepare, we went to Bochum in February and also to the Nürburgring for the German championship. “At the same time, I trained with the Bremen judo team and even played in the Bundesliga. During squad training and in various clubs, I consistently fought with 18- to 35-year-old judoka,” said Pajer, who trained five times a week to be with the World Cup to have a chance of a top placement. “Strength and endurance were just as much a part of it as many randoris,” said the experienced mat fighter.
The very intense fight was very even.
Andreas Pajer about his semi-final
After arriving in Las Vegas, the Oytener had three days to acclimatize. Then the World Cup started. The numbers show that the title fights in Las Vegas were a real major event: More than 1,450 participants from 68 countries started in their weight classes and age groups. Pajer fought in the weight class up to 66 kilograms in the M7 age group.
In the group phase, Andreas Pajer faced Briton Edward Orgee in his first fight. The World Cup started as hoped for the Enjoy trainer: with two left shoulder throws he grabbed the victory. In the semi-finals he dueled with the Pole Stanislaw Pazgan, who had won the European Cup in Hamburg. “The very intense fight was very even, but I was able to make the first part of the fight more active with several approaches,” said Pajer. The Pole was also punished twice for inactivity and being pulled to the ground without taking any action.
Andreas Pajer rewarded himself by winning the bronze medal.
Pajer then received two penalties. “But then the Pole went back to the ground without causing any distress to me. The third penalty would have been due,” said Pajer. However, he was not awarded the victory and the golden score had to bring the decision. In this, Pajer had a slight advantage, but remained unranked. In the judges’ decision, the Pole won very narrowly. “Very annoying because this strong performance could have meant the final,” regretted Pajer.
After the defeat, the Oytener was very exhausted. But he had to get himself back together quickly. Because the bronze fight was still on the program. Here the American Ralph Taniguchi was on the opposite side. Pajer wanted to put his opponent under pressure and didn’t let himself be dissuaded from his plan. Finally, Andreas Pajer should be able to get his opponent into a hold while he is on the ground. The American could no longer free himself from this: Pajer was assured of the bronze medal. Four-time world champion Silvio Uehara from Brazil won in the final. “I’ll save that for next time,” said Andreas Pajer with a wink.
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