Today in the history: 10 November

Today in 1984 Ingrid Berghmans (BEL) won the world title in Vienna. Not only did she become world champion in the Open class beating Dutch Marjolein van Unen, she also won the gold at under 72 kilogram, beating German Barbara Classen who died in 1990. Berghmans was one of the most successful ever in female judo winning six world titles and a demonstration Olympic title at Seoul retiring before women’s judo became a fully fledged sport at Barcelona in 1992.

Today in 1957 the English team won the European team title for the first time ever. The Brits beat Holland on their home ground at Rotterdam when the Dutch team included people like Anton Geesink. But The British team has guys like Gleeson, Newman, Palmer, Petherbridge and Young. England won three titles in a row from 1957 and Palmer went on to be the IJF President and introduce judo into the Olympics as a full sport at Munich in 1992.

At the European team championships in 1985 Russia defeated France that had won three times in a row before this Russian victory. Gregori Verichev is ‘the man’ in the Russian team.