When Tina Trstenjak of Slovenia retired from competition at the end of 2022, she had amassed an impressive medal collection: Olympic gold and silver, World gold, silver and two bronzes, three European titles, and 14 IJF World Tour golds. She had basically won everything there is to be won in judo.
Immediately after Trstenjak stopped competing, she moved into the next phase of her judo career, which is to focus on learning more classical judo, specifically in the form of the official Kodokan-classified techniques and seven (yes, seven) types of kata. She also achieved an IJF refereeing licence.
Besides the core Nage-no-Kata and Katame-no-Kata, Trstenjak also learned Ju-no-Kata, Kime-no-Kata, Kodokan Goshin-Jutsu, Itsutsu-no-Kata and Koshiki-no-Kata. After years of practice, she now holds certificates for all seven katas.
“On 31st December, 2025, I woke up and reflected on my three years of study and examination of all seven Kodokan kata,” she told the IJF. “It was a great feeling. I feel very fortunate to have enjoyed so many big moments in my sporting life. From winning Olympic and world gold to earning my IJF refereeing licence, I've been proud of the work I have done and now with the completion of these kata examinations, I can enjoy another new, great feeling.”
Upon getting the last of her seven kata certificates at the end of last year, Trstenjak took her parents out for lunch. She proudly showed it to them and thanked them for their support in the second phase of her judo career.
“I hope that my experience through this three-year educational journey will inspire younger generations and champions alike, to continue their judo education, studying judo and understanding that learning in judo never truly ends,” she said.
