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.

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.

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