Childbirth Tougher Than Judo, Says Japanese Champion

Tokyo - Japanese judo queen Ryoko Tani said that having her first child proved tougher than her struggle in the combat sport which has brought her two Olympic and six world gold medals. 

"I will go for a third straight Olympic title in Beijing while bringing up my child," the 30-year-old said as she left hospital with her husband, professional baseball player Yoshitomo Tani, and newborn son Yoshiaki.

"Delivery itself lasted about one hour but it was tougher than judo," Tani, holding the baby boy, told reporters outside the hospital in Nishinomiya near Osaka on Thursday. "I realised again that it is awesome to be a mother."

Tani, who has reigned supreme in the lightest judo division -- the under-48 kilogram bantamweight -- gave up her bid for a record-stretching seventh straight title at the world championships in Cairo last September to have a baby.

She has reached the gold-medal showdown in every Olympics since 1992, losing the first two before making it third time lucky in Sydney in 2000.

The 1.46 metre (4 foot 9-inch) judoka aims to become the first Japanese mother to win an Olympic title at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Tani and her 32-year-old husband, an outfielder for the Pacific League's Orix Buffaloes, say neither intends to impose a specific sporting career on their son. The couple married two years ago.

"It is up to the child to decide. I want him to try different fields, not just baseball or judo," said Tani.-- AFP

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with