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On Sunday the International
Judo Federation (IJF) held a star-studded gala at the Opéra Garnier
in Paris to celebrate its 60 th anniversary.
During the prestigious
evening awards were presented to some of the sport’s most illustrious
names including British Judo President George Kerr as he received
a Lifetime Achievement Award.
As one of the most distinguished
figures in judo, the British sporting legend last year received
his 10th Dan, the Edinburgh Award and in 2011 received a CBE and
Order of the Rising Sun from the Emperor of Japan.
George
Kerr
President
of the British Judo Association
IJF President Marius
Vizer said: "Judo has entered in a new era of evolution.
We have made many changes during the past four years, but we still
have a lot to do. For the very first time, the IJF was able to
organize such a gala. It was a real present for all our national
federations. Great champions were awarded, but also the media,
sponsors. The "Judo Family" concept is not only a concept,
it is a true reality" said President Vizer.
The ‘Life Dedicated to
Judo’ award went to the sport’s founder Jigoro Kano and was collected
by Haruki Uemura, the President of the All Japan Judo Federation
Elsewhere the ‘Best Female
Judoka’ award went to Japan’s two-time and reigning world champion
Yoshie Ueno while the male equivalent went to Uzbekistan’s world
title holder Rishod Sobirov.
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