Alina Dumitru

Alina Dumitru is a Romanian judoka, Olympic Gold medallist and multiple European champion. At the 2008 Summer Olympics she became Romania's first judoka to win an Olympic Gold medal.

Career

Dumitru was born on 30 August 1982. She trained with Romania's national judo team under coach Florin Bercean.

At the Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium, Dumitru reached the Women's 48 kg semifinals. There she faced Japanese double gold medalist Ryoko Tani, who until then had been undefeated in major international competitions for 12 years. She defeated Tani by "keikoku" and described her semifinal victory as "a dream". In the final she overcame Yanet Bermoy from Cuba, taking just 80 seconds to win the bout by ippon. In doing so, Dumitru became the first Romanian judoka to win a gold medal in the Summer Olympic Games.

Dumitru took part in the Judo at the 2012 Summer Olympics. She defeated Mongolian Mönkhbatyn Urantsetseg in the quarter finals in a close contest. In the semifinals, Dumitru beat world number one Tomoko Fukumi, her first victory against the opponent after four defeats. She lost in the final against Brazilian Sarah Menezes to win a silver medal, which was Romania's first medal at the London Olympics. In 2013 she announced her retirement from the sport.

Dumitru won nine medals, seven gold and two silver, at the European Judo Championships. She also won three bronze medals at the World Championships.

Dumitru was decorated by the president of Romania, Traian Băsescu, with Medalia "Meritul Sportiv" class I.
She was given the award of Cetățean de onoare of her hometown Ploiești in 2008. In 2012 she received the title Honorary Citizen of Cluj County.