Wim Ruska

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Wim Ruska bigraphy, stories - Judoka

Wim Ruska : biography

August 29, 1940 –

Willem "Wim" Ruska (born 29 August 1940) is a retired judoka from the Netherlands. He is the only athlete to win two judo medals in one Olympics – in the heavyweight and absolute categories in 1972.

He started mastering in Judo in 1960 and traveled to Japan for training. In the 1960s and 1970s he won seven European titles, five in the +93 kg category (1966–67, 1969, 1971–72) and two in the open category (1969 and 1972).. Wimruska.nl. Retrieved on 2012-11-16. He furthermore won two world titles (1967 and 1971) and two Olympic titles.. sports-reference.com His success at the 1972 Summer Olympics was overshadowed by the Munich massacre that took place days before.

He retired after the 1972 Olympics and later took part in a number of style-vs.-style fights. In August 1976, he defeated Ivan Gomez in a vale tudo match in Brazil. He also faced pro wrestler Antonio Inoki on three occasions. However, his matches against Inoki are believed to have had a pre-determined outcome.. Asahi-net.or.jp. Retrieved on 2012-11-16.

Between 1976 and 1980, Ruska competed as a pro wrestler for the New Japan Pro Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation promotions. He had fourteen pro wrestling matches, in some of which he was the tag team partner of fellow judoka Allen Coage.. Profightdb.com. Retrieved on 2012-11-16.

In 2001 Ruska suffered a major stroke which left him physically disabled.