Alina Dumitru (Romanian pronunciation: [aˈlina duˈmitru]; born 30 August 1982) is a Romanian judoka, one-time Olympic champion and eight-time European champion. At the 2008 Summer Olympics she defeated Japanese double gold medalist Ryoko Tani, who until then had been undefeated in major international competitions for 12 years.[1]
Dumitru defeated the legendary five-time Olympian Ryoko Tani by "keikoku" in a shocking –48 kg semifinal upset at the Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium. She controlled the five-minute showdown, maintaining her position with strong defense, refusing to budge or give her experienced foe a chance to mount a strong attack. It worked, as Tani lost points for passivity. Then she flipped Cuba's Yanet Bermoy becoming the first Romanian judoka to win a gold medal in the Summer Olympic Games.[2]
She took part in the Judo at the 2012 Summer Olympics but lost in the final against Sarah Menezes. In the semifinals, Dumitru beat world number one Tomoko Fukumi.[3]
Alina Dumitru was decorated by the president of Romania, Traian Băsescu, with Medalia "Meritul Sportiv" — (The Medal "The Sportive Merit") class III.[4]
She was given the award of Cetățean de onoare ("Honorary Citizen") of her hometown Ploiești in 2008.[5]
