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Menomonee Judo Club Teen Loses At World Meet To Eventual Silver Medalist

By Ted Cox | August 18, 2017 4:23pm | Updated on August 22, 2017 11:57am
 Michael Mutz, of the Menomonee Judo Club, competed in the Cadet World Judo Championships last weekend in Santiago, Chile.
Michael Mutz, of the Menomonee Judo Club, competed in the Cadet World Judo Championships last weekend in Santiago, Chile.
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Michael A. Mutz

OLD TOWN — A 16-year-old at the Menomonee Judo Club is determined to get on the podium in future international events after losing to the eventual silver medalist in the Cadet World Judo Championships in Chile.

Michael Mutz, a Lincoln Park resident and a junior at Jones College Prep, won his first match in the world championships in the 81 kilograms, or 178 pounds, weight class a week ago in Santiago, Chile.

"Michael fought really well in Santiago," reported his Menomonee Judo Club coach Brett Wolf on Friday. "He dominated his Australian opponent in the first match, winning by a full point. Michael was in control throughout."

Mutz came into the event ranked 24th in the world by the World Judo Federation in that division for cadets, under 18 years old.

In the second round, however, Mutz was paired against Argentine Agustin Gil, who went into the event ranked seventh in the world and as the reigning Pan American champion.

"The Argentine's experience proved a bit too much," Wolf said, "but Michael still had a very positive experience at the Cadet World Championships. He's even more committed to get on the podium the next time he competes at this level."

Gil won and went on to win silver in the event, losing to Eugen Matveiciuc of Moldova in the gold-medal final.

Mutz has risen in the world rankings this year since recovering from foot surgery just over a year ago. He placed seventh in an international event in Mexico earlier this summer, followed by winning his division in an International Judo Federation event in Florida.