Woman who posed as man to become judo champ finally gets gold - 50 years after being stripped of it

RamboLiberal

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Sat Aug-22-09 08:13 PM
Original message

Woman who posed as man to become judo champ finally gets gold - 50 years after being stripped of it

It took 50 years, but she finally got gold.

A Brooklyn judo champ stripped of her first place medal when judges realized she was a woman competing in a contest against men secured her place in the history books Friday.

It was a sweet moment for Rena (Rusty) Kanokogi, who became a pioneer for her sport - and a champion for equal rights - after her 1959 victory turned sour because she was the wrong gender.

" should have never been taken away from me," the 74-year-old said.

"But we're righting a wrong, that's what counts."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/08/22/2009-08-22_judo_medals_a_kick_ymca_finally_does_right_by_first_female_champ_stripped_of_gol.html#ixzz0OxqaxhMP

As a female martial artist I applaud her. She's one of the pioneers who in days when martial arts were very much closed to women pioneered to make the way easier for those women like me who would follow.

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Sanity Claws

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Sat Aug-22-09 08:15 PM
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1. She looks great

74? I would have taken her for 10-12 years younger. Apparently martial arts is good work out for her body,mind, and spirit.

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rbnyc

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Tue Aug-25-09 11:13 AM
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5. Cool! That's the avatar I created!

I was just dropping in because I got an email that this article had been posted here. I work for the YMCA of Greater New York. And I used to be a daily visitor at DU. And what do I see, my avatar. That's so cool.

:)

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xchrom

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Sat Aug-22-09 10:31 PM
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2. i played judo for many years competitively -- i know who she is!

but i didn't know the back story -- fascinating.

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agent46

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Sat Aug-22-09 10:38 PM
Response to Reply #2

3. same here

I remember Rusty very well. Good on her!

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me b zola

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Sat Aug-22-09 11:08 PM
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4. Yeah baby!

I'm so tired of hearing about men pretending to be women to win. Thousands of female athletes would do anything for the chance to complete.

Rock on, Sister! :applause:

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Fri Apr 26th 2024, 07:43 AM
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