Today in Paris, during the middleweight competition, a veteran of the tournament and of the World Judo Tour, stepped down from competition, choosing Paris as the last hurrah.
Jane Bridge, 1980 world champion and now Swedish national coach, said, ”It’s amazing to have this crowd really appreciating her career. She wanted to say goodbye here and they applaud her for all that she has brought to the Paris tatami. It’s fantastic from both sides. They recognise a great athlete and her choice to complete her career here.”
Anna took a moment; it’s hard to put retirement into words for an athlete who has been on the World Judo Tour for 14 years, “I felt the emotion several times before coming here and I wasn’t sure how I would react on the day. My coach, Sally Conway, had checked with me beforehand that it would be ok and then I heard the announcement. It’s so nice to have those cheers from this crowd. It’s such prestigious tournament and the public are always great here.
I have great memories from my whole judo career but I will always remember the 2020 Paris Grand Slam when I won the bronze in the Bercy. It is also the city in which I fought my first senior world championships, in 2011. So this is an important city in which to close my career. I’m surprised I’m not more emotional but I think once the adrenaline passes, maybe at home, I will reflect more fully.
I’m already studying medicine and so there is a lot to do. There will be less travel and I am sure I will miss it a little bit but it will be nice to settle into some routines and enjoy a more normal life. I’m looking forward to the steadiness.”
Standing close to the mats of the Bercy to take a last look, Anna Bernholm went quiet but then Ida Eriksson stepped up to fight, “Standing here to watch Ida, I know I’ve had a long career and now it’s time to focus on the next generation. I think we have some great young ones coming through. I will continue with judo, I can’t leave, but just some enjoyable training.”
Anna Bernholm has won 16 World Judo Tour medals, is an Olympian and a European championship medallist. It is fitting for her to take her final bow in Paris, somewhere she fought 8 times, loving the atmosphere on each and every occasion.
