True also, every judo fan knows all the accomplishments of his/her idol on the tatami. How many times he or she medaled on the World Judo Tour, the ranking, the number of head-to-head fights, the victories, the losses …
Hence, … the lighter side of judo. At the Worlds in Tokyo, IJF Media wants to scratch away a bit of judo layer and find out what our judokas like, away from the tatami, so we can share this inside intel with all judo fans.
In the catacombs of the Nippon Budokan, we ran into Miryam Roper (-57kg/PAN). Miryam is more of a ‘series’ person rather than a movie watcher. Her favorite series is ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. “No particular reason,” she says. “But I like those doctor series since ever and once I get caught up in a series, I tend to continue to watch. I’m a loyal person,” she laughs. “I don’t have a favorite actor nor actress,” she claims. Although a loyal series watcher, she admits changing often the music styles she listens to. “I like Latin music and German hip-hop, but I don’t like the traditional German schlagers,” she jokes. “Actually, it depends on my mood as I also listen to classical music.” Shakira and Jenifer Lopez, she really likes. “I’ve been to concerts of both of them. Amazing!”
Food is a tough topic for a judoka. “I love to eat, but I also like to cook. What I like most is sushi and patagones, which is a traditional Panamanian dish, green plantains which you fry and refry, great for the diet,” she jokes. Pisco sour, a cocktail of Peruvian origin, and juices are her favorite drinks. Bright colors make her happy, like pink and turquoise blue.
Cologne in Germany is definitely her favorite city. Most of her family lives there. No pets for her right now though. “Unfortunately, not. It would die, because I travel a lot,” she jokes. “But I love cats, I’m a real cat lady.”
Miryam likes to read, but the choice of her favorite book changes while reading. “Currently it’s ‘Como agua para chocolate (Like water for chocolate) by Mexican novelist Laura Esquivel.”
Many persons have influenced her in her life. “Everybody you meet will give you something. I don’t have one big influencer. For sure my former national coach Michael Bachynski, who believed in me from the beginning. He influenced me to stick with it and pushing me quite hard from time to time.” But she doesn’t really have a judo role model. “I don’t have one because my judo is performed out of passion. It’s not taking any direction.” Who would she be competing against if she was dreaming about judo? “In my dreams? I’m only winning,” she laughs. “Against everyone!”