François Aron (FRA), M7 bronze medallist at -81kg, expressed it perfectly, “This morning I was tense and stressed and I did not start my day perfectly but tonight I am a bronze medallist and it is just huge. I was second at the European Championships so I'm very, very happy. It was really a child's dream. Since I was a child I wanted to win medals in judo, but life did not guide me on this path, until now. I can finally fulfill my dream."
For another medallist, Joachim Maerz (GER) - M6 / M7 +100, it was not all easy, "Here everyone calls me Jogi, we are all friends. I have been participating in veteran competitions for years. I am very happy with my result because it was not easy. Normally I compete in -100kg, but here I exceeded the limit a little, so I was in + 100kg against opponents much heavier than me. I suffered. Judo is my life. I started practising when I was 10 years old. At 17 I got my first international results with Germany. With the veterans I just keep going, but next time, I'm sure I'll go on a diet."
César Ramos is Portuguese, so he was competing at home in the M9 category at -81kg and so it was at home that he stepped onto the podium, "I love judo! I started in 1964 and I am 74 years old now. I can't imagine my life without judo. It's a fantastic sport. I didn't have to go far this time around and I really hope we will have a lot more competitions like this one in Portugal. It's great promotion for judo, especially after the pandemic we have suffered."
Anton Cena finished first in the -66kg category. He comes from a country that is increasingly well known in the judo world: Kosovo. “It was my best day! I was perfectly prepared after the long break we had. I am an instructor in the police force in Pristina so between my job and the club, I spend twelve hours a day on the tatami. Now, after the results of our athletes at the World Championships and the Olympic Games, we have all possible medals in Kosovo."
What characterises these few testimonies, which illustrate the general spirit of all the participants, is their passion for judo. Practising for decades, even if professional and personal lives have sometimes taken them away from competition, they are nonetheless unconditional fans of our sport, which brings them much more than medals.
During a short ceremony prior to the last awarding ceremonies of the day, the Secretary of State for Youth and Sport, Mr João Paulo Rebelo said, "Good afternoon. The Portuguese government is very proud that the Veterans and Kata World Championships are held on the University of Lisbon campus. I have no doubt that these events, with the commitment of the Lisbon municipality and with the hard work of the Portuguese Judo Federation, will be a great success. Portugal is recognised as an exceptional country for the organisation of sporting events and this championship will help towards the success of the International Judo Federation in 2021. I wish good luck to everyone and a warm welcome to Lisbon, Portugal." Then Mr Rebelo received the IJF Golden Plaquette from Dr Lisa Allan, IJF Events Director.
While all the winners were waiting to receive their medals, shouts of encouragement and congratulations erupted from the stands and the medallists themselves were already replaying the film of the day. Big smiles were visible behind the masks. There was no doubt that although they were real competitors, they were also one hell of a bunch of buddies.
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