We introduced the statistics, the almost impossible feat and the question in our first article in the series, which can be found here:
https://www.ijf.org/news/show/151-olympic-champions-tokyo-to-tokyo
A reminder of the question:
It could be said that to be in the company of an Olympic judo champion is to be presented with someone whom has reached an absolute pinnacle, a ceiling which cannot be surpassed; there is nowhere further to ascend in the world of sport. We often find Olympic champions speaking with freedom and certainty, unafraid to share an opinion, speaking of their lives and paths with confidence. For many we feel there is peace, and that can be magnetic and inspiring.
So the question is, did they become Olympic champion because of that character or did they become that person having won the Olympic gold medal?
“There are a lot of factors, mostly surrounding hard work. You know when you sacrificed all for this goal. I did, I sacrificed everything else. I feel that at the Olympic Games it was my day because it was my biggest target and all the work I had done was for that.
I feel chosen for this, like it was meant for me. I can’t answer why not the others, why not someone else. On that day I was feeling like I was the Olympic champion and when watching others fight I felt it was my day. I watched other categories and I couldn’t see who might be ready but I felt it deeply that I was ready."
"I was feeling that on this day I could fight all who stood in front of me and beat everyone but there was also a spiritual feeling; in my religion, my faith, it’s already written for us.
After winning the Olympic medal, my status changed from being just a sportsman to being something different. Life changed and in some ways I wasn’t ready. I was a simple athlete and on that single day became Olympic champion. The behaviour of others around me and the kind of attention I was given changed and increased and I wasn’t ready for that. I wasn’t prepared for the moments that followed."
"It’s now seven years ago and I feel a satisfaction that came from it, 100%. If my judo life was finished today I would be forever grateful for this win and because of it, new goals and tasks are now aimed at with the knowledge that I can achieve them because I achieved that special thing on that special day.”
