Elisabeth Willeboordse

1.1. Early Life and Background

Elisabeth Willeboordse was born on 14 September 1978, in Middelburg, Zeeland, Netherlands. Standing at 67 in ^{(169 cm)} tall, she embarked on her judo journey early in life, laying the groundwork for a successful competitive career.

1.2. Judo Introduction and Early Training

Willeboordse commenced her judo training at the Rotterdam Budokan in Hoogvliet, Rotterdam. She was coached by Chris de Korte, a prominent judo trainer, and by Marjolein van Unen, who herself was a silver medalist in the women's +72 kg category at the 1986 World Judo Championships. These early influences provided her with a strong foundational development in the sport.

2.1. European Championships

Willeboordse achieved notable success at the European Judo Championships. In 2005, she won her first European title at the championships held in her home country, Rotterdam, by defeating Austria's Claudia Heill, who was the 2004 Athens Olympics silver medalist. A year later, at the 2006 European Championships in Tampere, Finland, she reached the semi-finals but was defeated by eventual gold medalist Sarah Clark from Great Britain, ultimately earning a bronze medal in her weight division. In 2010, she reclaimed her European title in Vienna, defeating Edwige Gwend in the final match. Her European Championship record also includes a fifth-place finish at the 2004 championships in Budapest and another fifth-place finish at the 2009 event in Tbilisi.

2.2. World Championships

Willeboordse was a strong contender at the World Judo Championships. In 2007, competing in Rio de Janeiro, she secured a bronze medal. During the tournament, she was defeated by Japan's Ayumi Tanimoto, the 2004 Athens Olympics gold medalist, in the quarterfinals. However, Willeboordse successfully navigated the repechage rounds and won her bronze medal match. In 2009, at the World Championships held in Rotterdam, she advanced to the final but was ultimately defeated by Japan's Yoshie Ueno, earning a silver medal. She also participated in the 2005 World Championships in Cairo, finishing in seventh place.

2.3. Olympic Games

Willeboordse represented the Netherlands at two Olympic Games. Her most significant Olympic achievement came at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. After reaching the quarterfinals, she was defeated by North Korea's Won Ok-im. However, she fought through the repechage bracket, first defeating Urška Žolnir of Slovenia and then triumphing over Driulis González of Cuba in the bronze medal match, securing an Olympic bronze. She also competed at the 2012 London Summer Olympics, where she finished in seventh place.

2.4. Other International Competitions

Beyond the major championships, Elisabeth Willeboordse achieved numerous medals in other international judo events, including IJF Grand Slam and IJF Grand Prix tournaments. She won gold at the 2010 Grand Prix Rotterdam, overcoming her Dutch compatriot Anicka Van Emden in the semi-finals and then defeating Urška Žolnir in the final. Her other notable international medals include:

• IJF Grand Slam:** Bronze medals in Paris (2010, 2012), Tokyo (2010, 2011), and Rio de Janeiro (2011).
• IJF Grand Prix:** Silver medals in Hamburg (2009), Tunis (2010), and Amsterdam (2011). A bronze medal in Düsseldorf (2011).
• World Cups:** Gold medals in Madrid (2009), Sofia (2008, 2005), Lisbon (2007), Vejen (2007), and Moscow (2007). Silver in Vienna (2009). Bronze in Sofia (2009).
• A-Tournaments/Open events:** Multiple medals including gold at the German Open (2004, 2003), International Tournament Venray (2003), International Tournament Ben Mesters Geleen (2002), and Austrian International Judo Tournament (2001).