Pan American Championships deliver valuable points for Brad Bolen and Hannah Martin

Jason Morris athletes Brad Bolen and Hannah Martin are preparing for the PanAm Championships, an opportunity to grab some valuable points for the World Ranking. Both athletes fight in Edmonton, Alberta from April 24-26.

In order to make the U.S. Olympic judo team, athletes have to be the top-ranked judoka in their country and be ranked among the top-22 men and top-24 women worldwide for each weight division. The rankings are based on points assigned by the International Judo Foundation.“Every four years I have sky high (expectations),” coach Jason Morris said. “I’m always confident in our program. I expect these two to make the (U.S. Olympic) team. Once we do that, I’m very hopeful that they can do well in the Olympics.”

This weekend will be Bolen’s sixth appearance at the Pan Ams, and Martin’s third. Both athletes feel more confident than ever, heading into the tournament.

Experience is the key, said Bolen, who missed the 2012 Olympic team by one spot because of a disappointing Pan Am experience.

“With that in the back of my mind, it’s a lot about experience,” he said. “Knowing the players I will be competing against, knowing how they fight, it helps the confidence coming into matches.”

Heading into the Pan Ams, both Bolen, a Greenville resident, and Martin, a Burnt Hills native, are the top-ranked Americans in their respective weight classes.

Martin is currently ranked 17th for the Olympics — and 19th overall — in the 63 kg weight class with 660 points. Bolen is ranked 22nd for the Olympics — and 37th overall — in the 66 kg weight class with 487 points.

For Martin, her objective for the Pan Am is simple — keep collecting points and continue to secure her spot in the top 24.

“I want to keep improving. Everyone wants to gain points towards the Olympics, so you have more of a cushion,” Martin said. “We’re all a nervous and excited, (but) I’m more excited because were getting closer to the Olympics. It’s been a long journey.”

Martin’s goal for the Pan Am is an appearance in the championship match.

“I personally believe that I’m one of the best girls in the division in the Pan Am region, so I hope that I’ll be in the final — that’s my expectations. I medal would be great. Any kind of medal, particularly gold, but any medal would be great.”

Bolen on the other hand sits right on the edge of the Olympic team and will need a big weekend to continue his surge up the world rankings.

“I want to take at least a top three, coming in to this — that’s pretty much it,” Bolen said. “I need to take top three and if I do that for this one and the next one coming up in 2016, that’s basically what I’m shooting for. If I’m able to accomplish that, I’ll be pretty close to where I’ll need to be overall.”

As the Olympics near, Martin is glad she gets to enjoy this experience in the place she’s spent her entire life. Martin graduated from Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School in 2006.

“It’s actually really cool because people I know and people I’ve grown up with — like I’ve worked at many places around here — people are actually following me,” said the 26-year-old. “I have a little bit of a fan club. People actually around this area are all very supportive and are all pulling for me. When I’m competing it’s not only for myself, it’s for my family, obviously my coach and my teammates, and for Burnt Hills and the Upstate New York region no one knows about.”

Considering the two Jason Morris Judo Club athletes have been picking up steam on the world circuit heading into the Panamerican Championships, Bolen and Martin are ready to leave their mark in Edmonton.

“The better you do internationally, the more comfortable you get on the big stage,” Martin said. I’m so used to competing now. I have a routine, I’m really comfortable being out there.”