Linda Bolder retires with pain in her heart

Israelian Dutch woman Linda Bolder announced her retirement. The 29-year old Bolder finished seventh at the Olympic Games in Rio. She won European titles in three different age categories at European Championships. She won European gold as cadet , junior and U23 and as senior she was runner up in 2013 behind Kim Polling. She won the Grand Slams of Paris & Tokyo but switched to Israel in 2015 and continued to win for gold for Israel. On her Facebook she explained her thoughts.

Bolder: “After many sleepless nights and mental fights with myself I decided to quit my active career as a judoka immediately from today on. I thought about this for a long time and although I feel both relief and sadness in the same moment, I know in my heart it's the right decision. After the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio I had a hard time, struggled to find the right motivation which is needed to prepare myself 100% for the tournaments.”

“The beauty of Judo is when you’re only committed 90% you simply cannot fight for the prizes and I don’t want to fight for any less. Even though there are always things when you look back at your career which could have been done differently I’m very proud of the career I had and I wanted it to end with dignity and pride. It was a very hard and difficult decision for me considering the European Championships are held in Israel, in Tel Aviv next year in April but as I said, without 100% commitment I simply cannot fight for a medal. “

“Judo and the people around it made me the person I am today and I will take these values forward in life and I’m grateful for all I’ve experienced and achieved. Unfortunately the dream which I always cherished since I was a little girl to win an Olympic Medal was not meant to be for me in Rio. I hope one time I’ll find peace with this and hopefully I can look back on all the things I did win and achieve in my active career.”

“So many beautiful memories are going through my mind right now and I’m so grateful to so many people, without them it wouldn't have been possible to reach this far, and my life would look completely different. After being an athlete and fighting for the Netherlands you all know that I made the move to Israel. From the first day on until now I’m so happy and proud that I made this move to be a part of the Israeli Judo Team. I’ve been welcomed in such a great way by. So many warm, sweet and people with expertise made it that I feel Israel as my home. I made friends for life!“

“With pain in my heart it is time to say goodbye to judo and the life of an athlete but when one door closes new doors will open up and I’m looking forward to my life after judo. Till we meet again!”

Read Linda's expressions of gratitude in her facebook.