Japan's judo 'mama' qualifies for fifth Games
TOKYO, April 6 (Reuters) - Twice Olympic judo champion Ryoko Tani has qualified for her fifth straight Games, her first since becoming Japan's most famous sporting mother.
The diminutive Tani booked her ticket to August's Beijing Olympics after reaching the final of the national invitational championships on Sunday.
She will be the first Japanese female athlete to appear in five Summer Olympics.
The 32-year-old won her second successive gold medal in Athens four years ago and her bid for a treble in the 48-kg class will be of major interest to the Japanese public.
Tani, a huge celebrity in Japan, gave birth to a son in December 2005, triggering speculation about her future.
"I would have preferred to have won," Tani told reporters after being beaten by Emi Yamagishi. "Hopefully I can put things right and go to Beijing and win a third Olympic title." (Reporting by Alastair Himmer; Editing by John Mehaffey)
TOKYO, April 6 (Reuters) - Twice Olympic judo champion Ryoko Tani has qualified for her fifth straight Games, her first since becoming Japan's most famous sporting mother.
The diminutive Tani booked her ticket to August's Beijing Olympics after reaching the final of the national invitational championships on Sunday.
She will be the first Japanese female athlete to appear in five Summer Olympics.
The 32-year-old won her second successive gold medal in Athens four years ago and her bid for a treble in the 48-kg class will be of major interest to the Japanese public.
Tani, a huge celebrity in Japan, gave birth to a son in December 2005, triggering speculation about her future.
"I would have preferred to have won," Tani told reporters after being beaten by Emi Yamagishi. "Hopefully I can put things right and go to Beijing and win a third Olympic title." (Reporting by Alastair Himmer; Editing by John Mehaffey)
FONTE: Guardian - UK
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