TOKYO: Japanese fans hailed three-time Olympic champion Tadahiro Nomura as a “wonderful judoka” on Tuesday as his retirement because of injuries prompted an emotional response.

Nomura, the first person to win three Olympic judo titles in a row, quit after his final match at the All-Japan Corporate Individual Championships on Saturday, saying he has reached his “physical limit” after repeated injuries.

The 40-year-old judoka, who was in the under-60kg men’s section, won gold medals in Atlanta in 1996, Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004.

“I realised when the match was over that I was feeling nostalgic and sad,” he told reporters in Osaka on Monday as he announced his retirement. “I couldn’t win my final match, but I’m glad I competed. I lost but so many people applauded and gave me warm words... I’m happy.”

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2015

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