Judoka of the week: Marhinde Verkerk (NED)

Winning the world title on home soil is very special. Marhinde Verkerk did it at the last World Championships in Rotterdam. Her compatriot Irene de Kok was the first for her country on home soil in 1986 in Maastricht.
Coached by Chris de Korte delivered his third world champion ever after Angelique Seriese in 1995 (Tokyo) and Edith Bosch in Osaka in 2003.

The world title of Marhinde Verkerk was one of the greatest surprises of the World Championships. She defeated Asian Champion Jeong Gyeong-Mi (KOR) in her first bout, the talented Alena Eiglova (CZE), and the big favourite Céline Lebrun (FRA) by decision in the quarter final. In the semi final Verkerk beat European Champion Esther San Miguel (ESP) in the golden score.

The final against Maryna Pryshchepa all bets where open as both fighters had both won a previous direct confrontation this year. But Verkerk was almighty in the final, and reached the necessary flow to win the world title.

Despite her second position at the Grand Slam of Paris this year, the world title seemed to be out of reach for Verkerk. She didn’t show great results after Paris, but was the only Dutch judoka who returned with a medal from the preparation tournament in Sindelfingen, where she became second losing to Heide Wollert. But in Rotterdam everything fitted and she couldn’t be exhausted by anyone. Fresh in the mind, refreshing judo and one of the best moments ever in judo for a fantastic and delirious Dutch crowd.

Verkerk is the 11th World Champion for Holland after Anton Geesink (1961-65), Wim Ruska (1967-71), Anita Staps (1980), Irene de Kok (1986-87), Angelique Seriese (1995), Monique van der Lee (1995), Guillaume Elmont (2005), Edith Bosch (2005), Dennis van der Geest (2005) and Ruben Houkes (2007).

Profile Marhinde Verkerk (NED)
Weight: 78kg
Age: 23

Major honours:
2009 World Champion Rotterdam
8 (Super) World Cup medals
1 Grand Slam silver medal (Paris 2009)
2 Dutch titles
2006 European U23 Champion Moscow