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Friday, September 29
Judo official receives death threat
Associated Press
AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- A New Zealand judo referee reportedly received a death threat amid criticism from Japan for his handling of an Olympic final.
Craig Monaghan angered Japanese judo fans by his ruling in favor of a Frenchman over a fighter from Japan during the over-100-kilogram final, judo's most prestigious event.
The New Zealand Judo Federation has received a number of angry e-mails, including one from a man who said he wanted to kill Monaghan, federation president Harry O'Rourke said.
Irate e-mails and letters from Japanese fans were also being
sent to the New Zealand Herald, the newspaper said.
O'Rourke filed a complaint with the internet provider used by
the death-threat fan, but has not complained to police.
"Craig is distressed and disturbed about the tone of the
e-mails," he said.
The Herald said in Saturday's editions that Monaghan, an Auckland school teacher, and his wife, Katia, have left New Zealand on a planned week's vacation.
Under International Judo Federation rules, Monaghan is not
allowed to speak to the media about umpiring decisions.
But O'Rourke said the decision against Japanese competitor
Shinichi Shinohara was "completely above board."
Judo effectively has three referees -- the scoring umpire and two
sideline judges.
If the judges do not agree with the scoring referee's decision,
they can overrule it. This was not done during the final.
The complaints arose after Frenchman David Douillet threw Shinohara to the floor. Shinohara tried a counter-throw, but Monaghan ruled it was unsuccessful and gave the points to Douillet.
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