Shocking death of young triple Dutch judo champion Kim Akker

Triple Dutch judo champion Kim Akker died at the age of 22. She died at an explosion due to a gas leak at the apartment where she lived in Mexico. The house went up in flames and Akker suffered second and third-degree burns across her body. Akker was taken to hospital and spent some hours in a coma. She died three days later in hospital and Mexican prosecutors have now launched an investigation into the incident. She lived in a resort Playa del Carmen for her job and worked in the travel business.

Kim Akker was national champion in the light weight category U48kg in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In 2016 she won the European Open in Glasgow. She competed at EYOF, European Junior and U23 Championships.

Athletes and coaches are shocked on the death of the young judoka. She was at the top in the Netherlands for ten years with various medals at Dutch Championships in all age groups and all three national titles. She was not active anymore due to continuous knee injuries.

She started her career in Den Helder at her club Dun Hong, a club that generated later World Champions. Later she fought for clubs as Ben Rietdijk Sport and Kenamju and followed the full time program at the Regional Training Centre in Haarlem and National Training Centre at Papendal for two years. Akker also fought in the German Bundesliga.

She will be cremated in Mexico.