Alina Dumitru, from Romania's judo team has won the Olympic silver medal in the 48 kg category in London, after she was defeated in the finals by the Brazilian Sarah Menezes. She won gold at the Beijing Olympics four years ago. After the London Olympics she will withdraw, she announced.

In the semifinals, she beat the Japanese Tomoko Fukumi. “I am really happy, more than this couldn’t be possible. I never thought that I will manage to beat the Japanese girl, especially at the Olympics.”

Despite having minor sprain of the right hand after the match with the Mongol Munkhbat Urantsetseg, Alina managed to get through to the final.

Alina Dumitru had an excellent debut after the match with the Cuban Dayaris Mestre Alvarez. The Cuban was penalized with a yellow card, with just under four minutes left in the bout because of an unsportsmanlike gesture.

Alina Alexandra Dumitru was born on August 30, 1982 and is a member of the Bucharest Club Steaua.

Ioana Toader, ioana.toader@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Romanian Olympic Committee)