One of the outstanding judokas of the recent past, Tina Trstenjak, continues to follow the “gentle way”, but now in a new role. The Olympic champion of 2016 currently holds certificates in all seven Kodokan kata. The legendary Slovenian has visited Azerbaijan many times, in recent years as part of the International Judo Federation (IJF) Academy. Trstenjak spoke to İdman.Biz about her work in Baku and much more.
– Tina, on December 31, 2022, you officially ended your competitive judo career. How do you sum it up today?
– Indeed, on that day my first career in judo, specifically the competitive one, came to an end. The joint efforts of my coach, the federation and, of course, my parents were rewarded with two Olympic medals, four World Championship medals and seven European Championship medals. The peak of my sporting career was the moment when I was simultaneously an Olympic, world and continental champion.
– Many people believe that an athlete’s career is only about medals and results. Do you agree?
– That is just the briefest summary of my career. The judo journey is not merely the sum of awards. It continues far beyond the bright “hajime” and “mate” moments in major arenas. Judo helps a person grow, contribute to society and never stop learning.
– You speak about a “second career” in judo. How did it begin?
– My second career in judo has only just begun. With the same discipline and motivation, I started to understand more deeply why and how a judoka becomes a champion. Thanks to a project initiated by the IJF president, I gained access to the IJF Academy’s educational programs, which had a huge impact on me, especially in understanding the 100 techniques classified by the Kodokan. At the same time, my educational path in judo led me into refereeing. I obtained an IJF continental refereeing license and later an IJF international refereeing license.
– You have taken part several times in the work of the IJF Academy in Baku. What are your impressions, and do you plan to return?
– The work of the IJF Academy in Baku made a very strong impression on me. It is a unique educational environment where a high professional level is combined with respect for judo traditions and a desire for constant development. The organization of the training, the lecturers and the overall atmosphere create a truly inspiring space for growth. It was an honor for me to be part of this process, to exchange experience with colleagues from different countries and to continue my education in an international environment. If the opportunity arises, I would be happy to come to Baku again, both for further learning and to take part in the Academy’s educational projects.
– This year, Azerbaijan’s capital will host the World Championships. You surely won’t miss this event and plan to follow the competition in person?
– Absolutely, such an event cannot be missed! Organization in Baku has always been at the highest level, and in 2018 I competed in your country at the World Championships, where I won a bronze medal. The competition will be very exciting, as Olympic qualification begins. Olympic ranking points for Los Angeles will be at stake.
– You have mastered all seven Kodokan kata. What did this require from you?
– To complete my kata education, I studied additional aspects of kata. One symbolically reflects the principles of movement, balance and natural forces, while another preserves the classical techniques of armored samurai, showing the historical roots of judo. I went through an intensive period of study and examinations. Now I hold certificates in all seven kata — some exams were taken in Slovenia, others at Kodokan seminars in Europe.
Zaki Feyzullayev
