Alina Dumitru (Romanian pronunciation: [aˈlina duˈmitru]; born 30 August 1982) is a Romanian judoka, Olympic Gold medallist and multiple European champion. At the 2008 Summer Olympics she became Romania's first judoka to win an Olympic Gold medal.
Career
[edit]Early life
[edit]Dumitru was born on 30 August 1982. She trained with Romania's national judo team under coach Florin Bercean.[1]
2008 Summer Olympics
[edit]At the Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium, Dumitru reached the Women's 48 kg semifinals. There she faced Japanese double gold medalist Ryoko Tani, who until then had been undefeated in major international competitions for 12 years.[2] She defeated Tani by "keikoku" and described her semifinal victory as "a dream". In the final she overcame Yanet Bermoy from Cuba,[3] taking just 80 seconds to win the bout by ippon.[4] In doing so, Dumitru became the first Romanian judoka to win a gold medal in the Summer Olympic Games.[1]
2012 Summer Olympics
[edit]Dumitru took part in the Judo at the 2012 Summer Olympics. She defeated Mongolian Mönkhbatyn Urantsetseg in the quarter finals in a close contest. In the semifinals, Dumitru beat world number one Tomoko Fukumi, her first victory against the opponent after four defeats. She lost in the final against Brazilian Sarah Menezes to win a silver medal, which was Romania's first medal at the London Olympics.[5] In 2013 she announced her retirement from the sport.[6]
Other events
[edit]Dumitru won nine medals, seven gold and two silver, at the European Judo Championships. She also won three bronze medals at the World Championships.[7]
Awards
[edit]Dumitru was decorated by the president of Romania, Traian Băsescu, with Medalia "Meritul Sportiv" ("Sportive Merit" Medal) class I.[8]
She was given the award of Cetățean de onoare ("Honorary Citizen") of her hometown Ploiești in 2008.[9] In 2012 she received the title Honorary Citizen of Cluj County.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Epure, Adrian (16 July 2016). "Ziua când "Piti" a dărâmat un colos: "Ryoko Tani a fost ani de zile coşmarul categoriei 48 de kilograme, implicit coşmarul meu"" (in Romanian). Adevărul. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ^ Everson, Darren (15 August 2008). "Upsets of Olympic Proportions". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
- ^ "Tani falls short in quest for gold". Japan Times. 10 August 2008. Archived from the original on 10 September 2016.
- ^ "Dumitru crowned Olympic champion". BBC News. 9 August 2008. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ^ "JO 2012 Judo VIDEO Prima medalie pentru delegatia Romaniei/ Alina Dumitru castiga argintul la categoria de 48 kg" (in Romanian). golazo.ro. 28 July 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ^ "Alina Dumitru: "Judo will always remain in my heart"". European Judo Union. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Corina Căprioru, Alina Dumitru, Florin Bercean şi Răzvan Martin vor primi titlul de cetăţean de onoare al judeţului Cluj" (in Romanian). Adevărul. 27 August 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ^ "Decorarea delegaţiei olimpice de la Beijing" (Press release) (in Romanian). presidency.ro. 27 August 2008. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008.
- ^ "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 the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee (archived) (in Romanian)
- Alina Dumitru at Olympedia
- Alina Dumitru at The-Sports.org
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European Judo Championships — Women's Extra Lightweight | |
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1974–present: –48 kg | |
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