Dutch Judo Team for Rio announced

The Dutch Judo Association announced the eleven judoka nominated for the Olympic Games. Despite the ongoing qualification period, the board will nominate eleven athletes at the National Olympic Committee. Obviously all athletes need to fit the international criteria at 30 May to secure their position.

One of the interesting decision is the nomination of Marhinde Verkerk U78kg. Guusje Steenhuis defeated Verkerk last week in Düsseldorf but those ‘internal affairs’ don’t count. Despite Steenhuis better results in the last year and a higher position in the World Ranking it is Verkerk who was nominated. Verkerk does have better results at the major events such as European Games and World Championships, and better results against potential Olympic athletes for Rio.

Henk Grol is the most experienced in the team aiming for a third Olympic medal, his last trick for a gold medal after winning two bronze in 2008 and 2012. Dex Elmont, Marhinde Verkerk and Jeroen Mooren gained Olympic experience as well in 2012 but without a medal yet.

Seven judoka can make their Olympic debut in Rio. Anicka van Emden, Kim Polling, Tessie Savelkouls, Frank de Wit, Noel van ’t End and Roy Meyer will make their appearance while they are an impressive team together. Sanne Verhagen U57kg is currently recovering from a hamstring injury. Verhagen hopes to be fit in time to be among the best 14 female judoka in the clean list.

Guusje Steenhuis (-78 kg), Juul Franssen (-63 kg) and Michael Korrel (-100 kg) are appointed as back-up athletes.