23 January 2025

A FOND FAREWELL FOR KIM

A FOND FAREWELL FOR KIM

Kim POLLING has been on the International circuit for an incredible 15 years, and has announced that we will no longer see her on the tatami.

It’s the end of an era for me.

If I could, I would have continued to be an athlete forever. But every athlete knows that sooner or later their career will end, and for me it is no different. Since I was unable to enter in a Military Sports Group and at the same time my body is struggling, Andrea has a full calendar and Aurora is getting older, I decided that the time has come for my retirement from judo. I would have really liked to compete in more tournaments for Italy. Fortunately, in addition to the individual results in these competitions, I was able to contribute to the historic bronze medal at the Mixed Team World Championships and the Olympic “medaglia di legno” together with a very special group of judokas. I am grateful to the Italian team for how they included me in the group and for how they made sure that I can remember what have become my last competitions above all with beautiful memories.

World Championships Mixed Team 2024 © Gabi Juan

Saying goodbye to something that has been my life for so many years is not easy. But looking back, I can definitely say that I have had a wonderful career, one that I can only be proud of. I have experienced and achieved more than I ever imagined, even though I may have had the talent to win more. But in the end I have always followed my heart and the result is that judo has given me more than any other medal could have ever done. How symbolic is it then that in the month in which my daughter took her first judo lesson and is starting her judo adventure, I am concluding mine?

Birmingham World Cup 2010 © David Finch

I also have some news that makes me very happy: I have been hired as a teacher at NTC Erasmus Milaan. In this school I will teach Dutch language and culture to Dutch-speaking children. Thanks to this stimulating job, the Italian lessons and managing the e-commerce of Sikko Polling B.V., I am absolutely not afraid of getting bored.

Kim takes a moment to reflect in the beauty of taking her daughter, Aurora to her first judo lesson.

I conclude with a statement I made in 2010: “In hindsight, the best decision my parents could have made was to give me my first judo lesson.” Dad and mom, thank you for everything.

…and thank you Kim!

Author: Thea Cowen