The West Bend Judo Club hosts its 44th annual tournament today, May 7, at UW-Washington County.
Judo instructor, Jon Sanfilippo will make a special presentation to Lynn Roethke, two-time Olympian and 1988 Silver medalist.
Roethke was recently promoted to 8th degree Black Belt by USA Judo. At 55 years old, she will be the youngest Judoka promoted to that rank and also becomes the highest woman Judoka currently alive in the U.S.
The West Bend Judo Club present a set of 3 real Samurai Swords to show a direct connection of Judo to its martial warrior roots of Japan.
Exclusive note from Jon Sanfilippo as he submitted photos of himself and Roethke.
The first one is when Lynn returned from the 1988 Olympics with her Silver medal. She came back to her home Judo club and placed her medal around my neck as a thank you for all we had done together as student and coach in Judo.
Lynn was the first U.S. woman to ever win an Olympic Judo Medal.The second picture is the most recent I have with us together at last years July, 2015 Junior National Judo Tournament in Indianapolis, IN where we both had our top Judoka from our respected teams competing.