Woman who posed as man to become judo champ finally gets gold - 50 years after b

[Shana A]

Woman who posed as man to become judo champ finally gets gold - 50 years after being stripped of it

BY Jeff Wilkins and Christina Boyle
DAILY NEWS WRITERS

Saturday, August 22nd 2009, 4:00 AM

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/08/22/2009-08-22_judo_medals_a_kick_ymca_finally_does_right_by_first_female_champ_stripped_of_gol.html

It took 50 years, but she finally got gold.

A Brooklyn judo champ stripped of her first place medal when judges realized she was a woman competing in a contest against men secured her place in the history books Friday.

It was a sweet moment for Rena (Rusty) Kanokogi, who became a pioneer for her sport - and a champion for equal rights - after her 1959 victory turned sour because she was the wrong gender.

[LordKAT]

Sad that she had to make it a "women's " sport to to participate but good that she got the medal she earned. If all things are equal, why seperate them.

[Maebh]

What an inspiration. Male or female she proved that she was a good fighter. Despite the injustice she didn't get bitter or self-victimising, instead she fought to change an unjust situation and won that fight too. That Warrior Queen ALWAYS deserved that medal.

HLL&R

Maebh