Dutch Judo Mourns Loss of Legendary Coach Chris de Korte

The Dutch judo community is grieving the loss of legendary coach Chris de Korte, who passed away at the age of 86. De Korte's illustrious career saw him guide several judo talents to Olympic and World Championships success. He was instrumental in the achievements of athletes like Angelique Seriese, Mark Huizinga, Theo Meijer, Edith Bosch, Marhinde Verkerk, Elisabeth Willeboordse, and Anicka van Emden.

De Korte, a former commando, was renowned for his keen eye for judo talent. One of his most significant accomplishments was coaching Mark Huizinga to the Olympic gold medal in the U90kg category at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, marking the last Olympic gold for the Netherlands.

His coaching philosophy was reflected in his athletes' performances, with the best compliment being when they didn't need his guidance during matches. De Korte's dedication to the sport was unwavering, as he continued to train athletes and even stepped onto the mat himself at the age of 85 at the sports school named after him in Hoogvliet, close to Rotterdam, is led by one of his proteges Mark van der Ham

Despite battling leukemia diagnosed last year, De Korte remained active in the judo community, traveling to Japan for training camps with his students and attending events like the Rotterdam Open. His passing leaves a void in Dutch judo, but his legacy lives on through the enduring lessons he imparted to his athletes.

Mark Huizinga, reflecting on De Korte's impact, expressed gratitude for shaping him both as a judoka and as a person. He credited De Korte for pushing him beyond his limits while providing unwavering support. The loss of De Korte will be deeply felt by many, but his teachings will continue to resonate.