Dennis van der Geest quits judo2009.05.13

European Judo Union

The former world champion explained that the motivation to perform at high level competition isn’t there anymore. “I’m in perfect shape physically, that isn’t the problem. And I’m convinced i could return to be one of the best judoka’s in my weight category, but the motivation to do so just isn’t there anymore. The only thing left to win, for me, will be distributed in 2012”, said Van der Geest reffering to the Olympics. Van der Geest is nearly 34 years old.

Van der Geest got injured in his first match at the Olympics in China. Since then the bronze medal winner of the Olympic Games in Athens 2004 did not return on the tatami.

Van der Geest won five medals at world championships, claimed the world title in the open category in 2005 and finished third at the Olympics in Athens, 2004. Van der Geest also won 10 back-to-back national championships and became European champion in 2000 and 2002.

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