Germany’s Miriam BUTKEREIT has had a sensational year in her career, in Paris last summer she fought her way to an Olympic final, and now can boast a World bronze medal. It has been quite the journey, but today she enjoyed herself and this feeling certainly paid off for her. Even in the fight for bronze, it took her a moment to realise a dream had come true.
Yes! I wasn’t so sure if it was an ippon or not but when I realised, I was like yes I’ve done it!! It was such an amazing feeling.
Butkereit had other goals this year, including a European medal which didn’t quite work out for her, and with such a quick turn around for a major event, she needed to get back to training and be focussed on a world achievement.
It was a short time to prepare for these World Championships after the Europeans, I had a little injury in my knee, everyone was watching it! [she laughs] but it went very good, I had a really good preparation in Kienbaum, we had a training camp and many people came for it, I felt really great in the randori, much better than I thought it would be and I just wow I’m strong, I’m back! So this motivated me and I felt great.
Of course this carried her through to day five of the World Championships but nerves set in…
Until today I was in the mindset like, sure I will take a world medal, sure I’m going for gold here, and this morning when I woke up, everything was fine but in the competition I began to think, you know maybe just taking a medal is also good… if not it doesn’t matter, you have your Olympic medal. In the first contest I was not so focussed, not the way I would like to have been, but maybe not so unusual for a first round. She was a hard competitor, the Italian girl is strong and I know this, but it was a good first fight to have. Then I had the Japanese, I saw the Portuguese girl do a good job, I thought maybe I can do the same but score, then of course it didn’t go this way. Then for the medal, I was more than focussed!
It’s strange for me now actually, because of the Olympic medal, I can feel everyone hunting me, before it was me doing the hunting! It’s a strange feeling for me and not something I am used to so it’s tough, I had to put in some hard work. They have new solutions for me so I go back and find new ones for them, but this is the magic of the sport!
Ending on a high left Butkereit in great spirits and immediately left the tatami to celebrate with her team mates!
Now yes I’m happy with the medal, and another thing is that I’ve left winning a contest, it is so hard to win a medal, but lose the fight so I’m pleased I can leave with this feeling.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen