Japanese Judo Champion Ryoko Tani Retires
- 14 years ago
Japanese Judo champion Ryoko Tani retired from her athletic career on Friday.
[Ryoko Tani, Judo Champion]: (female, Japanese)
"I've decided to retire from the frontlines of my life as a competitor. I would like to thank all my fans in Japan and all around the world for supporting me from the bottom of their heart for such a long time. I would also like to thank the judo athletes around the world."
Tani has been a judo player since she was eight, and has competed in five consecutive summer Olympics since 1992 in Barcelona.
She has won two golds, two silvers and one bronze over the past five Olympics.
In July 2010, Tani successfully became a member of the ruling of Japan after winning a seat in the upper house election.
[Ryoko Tani, Judo Champion]: (female, Japanese)
"From now on, I would like to place myself in the political arena in order to promote Japanese sports to the world, and create an environment for sports to grow in Japan."
The judo star, also known for her nickname “Yawara,” is an icon in Japan for successfully balancing sports with being a mother of two.
[Ryoko Tani, Judo Champion]: (female, Japanese)
"I've decided to retire from the frontlines of my life as a competitor. I would like to thank all my fans in Japan and all around the world for supporting me from the bottom of their heart for such a long time. I would also like to thank the judo athletes around the world."
Tani has been a judo player since she was eight, and has competed in five consecutive summer Olympics since 1992 in Barcelona.
She has won two golds, two silvers and one bronze over the past five Olympics.
In July 2010, Tani successfully became a member of the ruling of Japan after winning a seat in the upper house election.
[Ryoko Tani, Judo Champion]: (female, Japanese)
"From now on, I would like to place myself in the political arena in order to promote Japanese sports to the world, and create an environment for sports to grow in Japan."
The judo star, also known for her nickname “Yawara,” is an icon in Japan for successfully balancing sports with being a mother of two.