Contents
Ryoko Tani
Winning judo medals at five consecutive Olympics, including two golds.
Seven world titles · Olympic champion
- Born
- 6 September 1975
- Birthplace
- Fukuoka, Japan
More people
Ryoko Tani
Japanese judoka who dominated the women’s 48 kg division across several generations. After retiring from competition she served in Japan’s parliament.
Early life
Starting young
Took up judo at seven in Fukuoka.
University studies
Studied literature at Teikyo University before joining Toyota.
Career
- 1990–1992
Teenage breakthrough
Won the Fukuoka international tournament and reached the Olympic final at sixteen.
- 1993–2008
International career
Combined seven world titles with appearances at five Olympic Games.
- 2010
Retirement
Ended her competitive judo career after entering politics.
Achievements
Seven world titles
Won six consecutive editions before returning to take a seventh title.
Olympic champion
Won the women’s 48 kg event in Sydney and Athens.
Five Olympic medals
Collected two golds, two silvers and a bronze at consecutive Games.
Beyond sport
Public office
Was elected to the House of Councillors in 2010.
An athletic family
Married professional baseball player Yoshitomo Tani and raised two sons.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Career and achievements ↗Photo: 首相官邸. CC BY 4.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
