Little River to London: Mark Anthony wins his second-round bout at the 2011 world championships in Paris.
BY JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
LITTLE River judoka Mark Anthony has a short but inspirational note with him as he prepares for his biggest competition yet – London’s Olympic Games.
The note is from the wife of his late trainer, Arthur Moorshead, who gave up countless hours in private training sessions for the young judo fanatic.
“Arthur would be leaping out of his skin to see one of his students competing in his old hometown,” the note said.
Susie Moorshead said Arthur, “a ten-pound Pom”, organised regular three-hourly private training sessions for Mark.
“Mark is the last of Arthur’s elite athletes and was actually training in Japan when Arthur died,” Mrs Moorshead said.
“Mark was released from his training last year to return home to be a pall bearer at Arthur’s funeral.
“All except one of the pall bearers were Olympians from Caulfield Judo Club.”
Mark will compete in the under-90kg class at the games, his second Olympics after competing in Beijing as an 18-year-old.
His father, David, said Mark had spent the past three years overseas competing in tournaments.
“He’s been based in Paris but spent a month with the Uzbekistan team at a special training camp near the Afghan border.
“The team includes the best judoka in the world, the under-90kg world champion and the top coach in world. Mark said it was an amazing experience and will stand him in good stead for the London Games.”
Mr Anthony said Mark’s world cup results ranked him 14th of 22 qualifiers for the Olympics.
The Geelong region has seven other Olympians at the 2012 games.
Rower Josh Dunkley-Smith will make his Olympic debut as stroke of the men’s coxless four.
After stints in fours and pairs at international events, rower Phoebe Stanley successfully moved to the eight, stroking it to victory at a final qualification regatta in Lucerne.
London will be 5000m runner Craig Mottram’s fourth consecutive Olympics. He is the Australian record holder for the event.
Former world champion Nathan Deakes will contest the 50km road walk.
Tour de France winner and Barwon Heads resident Cadel Evans will compete in road race and individual time trial events.
Drysdale’s Mary Hanna is part of an Australian dressage team in her fourth Olympics after previously qualifying for Atlanta, Sydney and Athens.
Equestrian James Paterson-Robinson, based in the Netherlands, will compete at his first Olympics with horse Lanosso.
