Ayumi Tanimoto of the Komatsu Women's Judo Club Wins the Gold Medal in the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games

[August 17, 2004, Athens, Greece] Today, Ayumi Tanimoto of the Komatsu Women�fs Judo Club participated in the 63Kg weight category women's Judo competition and won the Gold Medal.
While it was the first time for us both, Ayumi and the Komatsu Women's Judo Club, to participate in Olympic Games, we are more than happy with this accomplishment. Incidentally with the subtile of the ongoing mid-range management plan "Move the World" we believe that Ayumi has moved the world with her commitment to Ippon, the real value of Japanese tradition.
Thank you very much for your support and encouragement.

By Ayumi Tanimoto
"This is one of the happiest moments of my life. I thank for everyone who has supported me all the way to this accomplishment, including my employer Komatsu. I have completely felt that I can go for the Gold Medal. And it's so nice to go home disregard of the results. One of Komatsu posters say "We don't care whether you win or not. All we want is to just support what you can best." Thank you for everyone!

Born in Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture in 1981. Began Judo when she was 9 years old at a local Dojo in Anjo City. At the age of 13, began learning Judo seriously at the Oishi Dojo in Osaka. Joined Komatsu Ltd. in April 2004 after graduating from Tsukuba University. Her style of "oing for Ippon" distinguishes her from many other women Judo athletes. Her favorite techniques are Ippon Zeoi, Uchimata and Haraigoshi.
She is 158 cm tall. Her family consists of parents, grand parents, an elder brother and a younger sister (Ikumi who is also a member of Komatsu Women's Judo Club and in the same weight category as Ayumi).

Komatsu Women's Judo Club was established in April 1991 as part of Komatsu's 70th anniversary commemorative initiatives. Since then the Komatsu Women's Judo Club has won the championship of All Japan Company Judo Club Competition four times. Members of the Komatsu Women's Judo Club have also won a variety of individual titles at competitions both in Japan and abroad.
In addition to regular practice, the Komatsu Women's Judo Club offers Judo lessons for children every Wednesday and Friday to support the growth of next-generation Judo athletes.

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