Alina Dumitru
Alina Dumitru (Romanian pronunciation: [aˈlina duˈmitru]; born 30 August 1982) is a Romanian judoka, one-time Olympic champion and eight-time European champion. At the 2008 Summer Olympics she defeated Japanese double gold medalist Ryoko Tani, who until then had been undefeated in major international competitions for 12 years.[1]
Career
[edit]2008 Summer Olympics
[edit]Dumitru defeated the legendary five-time Olympian Ryoko Tani by "keikoku" in a shocking –48 kg semifinal upset at the Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium. She controlled the five-minute showdown, maintaining her position with strong defense, refusing to budge or give her experienced foe a chance to mount a strong attack. It worked, as Tani lost points for passivity. Then she flipped Cuba's Yanet Bermoy becoming the first Romanian judoka to win a gold medal in the Summer Olympic Games.[2]
2012 Summer Olympics
[edit]She took part in the Judo at the 2012 Summer Olympics but lost in the final against Sarah Menezes. In the semifinals, Dumitru beat world number one Tomoko Fukumi.[3]
Awards
[edit]Alina Dumitru was decorated by the president of Romania, Traian Băsescu, with Medalia "Meritul Sportiv" — (The Medal "The Sportive Merit") class III.[4]
She was given the award of Cetățean de onoare ("Honorary Citizen") of her hometown Ploiești in 2008.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "Upsets of Olympic Proportions". Wall Street Journal. 15 August 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
- ^ "Tani falls short in quest for gold". Japan Times. 8 August 2008. Retrieved 8 August 2008.
- ^ "Olympics: Hiraoka gets silver, Fukumi left out of medals". Kyodo News. 28 July 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
- ^ "Decorarea delegaţiei olimpice de la Beijing" (in Romanian). presidency.ro. 27 August 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
- ^ "Alina Dumitru a devenit cetăţean de onoare al oraşului Ploieşti" (in Romanian). gsp.ro. 30 September 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
External links
[edit]- Alina Dumitru at the International Judo Federation
- Alina Dumitru at JudoInside.com
- Alina Dumitru at AllJudo.net (in French)
- Alina Dumitru at Olympics.com
- Alina Dumitru at Olympedia
- Alina Dumitru at The-Sports.org
- Alina Dumitru on Facebook
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European Judo Championships — Women's Extra Lightweight | |
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1974–present: –48 kg | |
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