by Michael Landstreet
The 2014 Virginia Open Championships was held on June 7, 2014 at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, Virginia.
279 Competitors representing 42 clubs were represented with participants coming from Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Kentucky.
The tournament began with a very special opening ceremony. After a brief introduction the tournament director turned the microphone over to Dr. Charles Medani, Shufu Yudanshakai president, who spoke briefly about the real significance of the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Allied Invasion of Normandy, how important the allied victory was in recapturing Europe and ending World War II, and how the true heroes of our society and modern world in the US and in Europe were the soldiers who risked everything for their own world and for us in the future.
Tournament Director Michael Landstreet, D-Day Honoree Roy Englert, Sr., and Jim Takemori
Dr. Medani then asked one of those real heroes, Mr. Roy Englert, Sr. (father of Roy Englert, Jr.), who was a young lieutenant in the D-Day invasion on the Normandy beaches, to stand before the hundreds of judoka and supporters. Roy, Sr. has been involved as a judo dad and tireless volunteer for judo for well over 40 years, and only recently has diminished his participation in favor of a more relaxed retirement, but maintains his busy schedule which includes running every day. Those present were touched by the moment as the crowd rose for a standing ovation as Mr. Englert came to the front and acknowledged the enthusiastic applause.
The tournament had a variety of competition in Juniors, Seniors (both novice and advanced), Masters, and Kata. Aaron Douoguih from Sport Judo earned the Outstanding Junior Competitor Award and David Dunham from 
Charlottesville Judo Academy earned the Outstanding Senior Competitor Award. Sport Judo earned both the Junior Team and the Senior Team trophies.
Gallery
Photos Courtesy of Roy Nanjo
