Jeannine Meulemans (VJF) and the "Ligue Francophone de Judo", acting under the Belgian Judo Federation umbrella. The exams were held in Etterbeek (ESC), Brussels, before a national jury consisting of Jean-Marie Falise, Marcel Clause, Marcel Degroote, and presided by Abe Ichirō, 8th dan from the Kōdōkan in Japan. At that occasion she was praised by Abe Ichirō, for obtaining the highest score among all candidates irrespective of gender. In 1983 Meulemans retired from competitive judo after winning her 10th successive national title, though at club level she continued to remain for years a technically inspiring judo training partner to Sonja Maes and
Judo in Brazil in Rio de Janeiro. This event marked the first time Brazil hosted a mixed-gender World Judo Championship. Brazil ranked second overall in medals behind Japan at the 2007 Championships, earning three gold medals along with a bronze. In 2013, Brazil once again hosted the World Judo Championships, this time placing fourth overall behind Cuba, despite surpassing Cuba in total number of medals. In this event, Rafaela Silva made history by being first Brazilian Judoka to claim gold in a women’s division. Judo in Brazil The practice of the Japanese martial art of Judo in Brazil dates back to 1914, and