Marti Lou Malloy is going to the Olympics in London this July to compete on the U.S. Judo Team. She is the daughter of Merry and Marty Malloy. Many of you probably know her, or one of her family. I’ve known Marti since she was a little girl; we were part of her extended family. She was always a great kid and fun to be around. She has grown into a wonderful, strong, caring and poised woman.

Marti started her judo career right here in Oak Harbor at the age of 6. Sensei (judo coach) George Morse, my dad, started teaching her along with her brothers at NAS Whidbey Judo Club. She continued her judo training here, under Sensei George Morse — sixth degree black belt and Sensei Gary Steward — fourth degree black belt, all the way through high school.

Her love for judo and her skill at the sport were there from the very beginning. She listened to all that her Senseis said and learned well. Her Senseis taught her to walk up onto the mat, bow (as is tradition in judo), grip (her opponent’s judo uniform -– a “gi”), and then throw her opponent. Most of the time, that is exactly what she did — bow, grip, throw; match over. Many times, at a judo match, she did it so quickly that the camera man for her team couldn’t focus fast enough to be able to catch it on video.

After her graduation from Oak Harbor High School, she moved on to San Jose State University. She joined the judo team there and continued her fantastic judo career. After just missing getting on the 2008 Olympic judo team by one-half point, she hit her training at an even higher speed while continuing her schooling. After her graduation from San Jose State in December 2011, she has put her full concentration on judo. She works out with the San Jose team as an assistant coach while training for the Olympics. Sandan (a third degree black belt) Marti Malloy now ranks as top in the U.S. in her weight division and ninth in the world. This is our hometown girl and she is going to London this year as part of the U.S. Olympic Judo Team!

Let’s show her our hometown (and home state) support. We can’t all go to watch her in the Olympics, but we can support her by helping her family –- Merry, Marty and brothers — Reuben and Zane (both also black belts in judo) get to London to cheer her on and watch her win. If you would like to contribute, there are donation jars here in Oak Harbor at The Wind and Tide Bookstore and at Seabolts. Remember every $1 bill adds up and can be a great way for each and every one of us to show her how proud we are of all she has done.

All donations will go directly to Merry and Marty Malloy to help the family get to London to watch our hometown Olympian — Marti Lou Malloy! Let’s Show Marti Just how proud we are to be her hometown!

Suni MacLean
Oak Harbor