(BSSG release)
BILLINGS — Two-time Olympic Judo Bronze Medalist Marti Malloy will be the special guest athlete of the 34th Annual Big Sky State Games Opening Ceremonies Friday, July 19 at Wendy’s Field at Daylis Stadium in Billings. Malloy will speak and light the Big Sky State Games Calderon, officially kicking off Montana’s 2019 State Games.
Malloy won USA Judo’s second ever Olympic medal by an American female in 2012. After losing in the last seven seconds of the Olympic semifinal, Malloy, a first time Olympian, came back with a powerful throw to beat the reigning Olympic Champion who was ranked No. 2 in the world at the time, capturing the Bronze Medal in the women’s judo 57 kg class.
“It’s the hardest thing in the world to come back,” Malloy said. “You want to be mad and angry and upset, but my coach pulled me aside and said, ‘You came here to win. You lost a close match and if you really want to win you’re going to totally change your mindset and come back and focus on the bronze.”
Malloy is a 2016 Grand Prix Cancun and 2017 Grand Prix Havana Gold Medalist and a Bronze Medal winner at the 2017 Pan American Senior Championships.
During the Big Sky State Games weekend Malloy will also conduct a Judo Clinic, on Saturday, July 20 following the State Games TaeKwondo and Judo competition at Huntley Project High School in Worden. For more information on the Clinic, call Dave Allen at 406-860-7959.
State Games Opening Ceremonies festivities include the Soaked Run, climbing wall, family entertainment and games, Parade of Athletes, Montana Mile, and Torch Lighting. State Games participants are admitted free with their Opening Ceremonies tickets. Tickets are $5, children under 6 are admitted free. All military, veterans, law enforcement and first responders will be admitted at no charge with their service ID.
For more information go to bigskygames.org or call 406-254-7426.
