The Tribune

By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

CYNTHIA Rahming, former judo national champion, had a choice between ballet and judo in 2007. She chose the latter and now 14 years removed from her career debut in 2009, the former judoka has officially retired.

Her tenure in the gruelling sport had many highs and lows on and off the mat over the years but overall she is thankful for having a fruitful journey to become one of the most successful Bahamian women to ever compete in the sport.

Rahming will now trade in her judogi for paint supplies to fulfil her newest passion - art.

The room was filled with her peers and loved ones last week Thursday at the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture (MOYSC) while she delivered a heartfelt speech showing her appreciation for those that supported her during the time spent in judo.

“I have had 14 fruitful years of professional judo which really tested the tenacity of my character as a person, my relationships with my family and friends and involved institutions like the MOYSC, the International Judo Federation, the Bahamas Olympic Committee and Bahamas Judo Federation,” Rahming said.

Last week marked the end of Rahming’s journey which started officially in 2009 at the Senior World Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

At the Olympic qualifying competition, she faced her first uphill battle in the sport.

The 29-year-old had already competed at the US Open and regional competitions abroad but a venue like the Rotterdam Ahoy indoor arena was new for her at the time.

The nerves and fear got the best of her and her match lasted less than 20 seconds which she described as a low point.

One her biggest personal goals in the sport was to qualify for the Olympic Games which she struggled with for two consecutive years. She was sidelined after tearing her ACL in 2016.

While rehabbing the injury, she served as one of the coaches training cadet athletes which translated to their success at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games held at home.

Between 2015 to 2017, she considered retiring but in 2018 she started to experience success at the regional Olympic Qualifiers in Peru and the Dominican Republic.

The former national champion experienced a glorious moment in 2019 at the PanAmerican Open in Santo Domingo. Despite the anxiety she was facing 10 years after her lowest point, Rahming was more than ready which led to her earning a bronze medal in the competition after defeating Clara Barinas Benitez.

Four years later, the bronze medallist said that is really what makes being an athlete worth it.

“I think that is really the addicting part about being an athlete, or somebody who has a clear goal you’ve prepared so hard for…all along your journey you’re dedicated to the early morning workouts, the late night practices, breaking up your body trying to make it better, and the trade off is maybe that five-minute feeling of achieving your goal, and it really becomes worth it,” she said.

Over the years, Rahming has competed in 36 matches and her final match was in August 2022 at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

She has represented the country at 16 Continental Open competitions, six World Championships, five Grand Prix, four Continental Championships and Grand Slams and one Commonwealth Games.

After an extensive time in sport, she is now ready to fully embark on her journey as an artist.

“I really am going for being an artist. I have already started one of my first series that I am doing. I have had pieces in the National Art Gallery, Central Bank of The Bahamas but I want to take it international and highlight my experiences as a Bahamian and put that in the world,” she said.

Not only has her prowess in judo been an inspiration for girls but she has also provided significant help to US Open champion Xavion ‘Warrior’ Johnson.

Ordain Moss, Johnson’s mother, was present among the many that supported Rahming, not only as a fighter but as a coach to cadet athletes.

“She not only paved the way for females but she paved the way for my son. Both Xavion and I look up to you tremendously. You have stepped in and provided coaching for him…he would not be able to make it as far as he has made it and is going to make it if not for you.

“I am just so grateful for you and I hope that you do not underestimate how great you are in judo,” Moss said.

Minister Bowleg was glad to offer congratulations to the 29-year-old as she transitions to a new endeavour.

“Congratulations on your journey, for me you have paved the way, hopefully for more females to come, to compete and hopefully surpass you but at this very moment, you have opened the door in a small, mighty and powerful nation,” the minister said.

The retired judoka is grateful for the impact judo had on her life mentally, physically and spiritually.

She was thankful for the support of the many local and international federations on her journey. She will now open the door to her new chapter of success as an artist/painter.