for the judoka José Vicbart Geraldino Rosellóachieve the first Pan American medal for a Dominican and reach ninth in Olympic Gamesis the result of work, dedication and a fixed goal to succeed, are part of the attributes that helped him win laurels for the country, valid to be elected on best Dominican judoka of all time.
“I feel very satisfied with my performance in the different competitions, where I won medals for my country, something that makes my family proud, my support to move forward and overcome the obstacles that come up in life in the activities that I carry out” , said.
Geraldino Roselló, a member of an athletic family, from a very young age dedicated himself based on sacrifice to practice judo, a sport that he never used for confrontations in the streets, but on the tatamis in tournaments, against his opponents.
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forced retirement
He stated that he retired in his best moments, unaware of his will, prompting him to study and prepare for his new life.
He faced problems with judo federation demanding his right and better treatment for an athlete of his category.
Geraldino left competitive judo and was not daunted and studied at Florida International University (FIU), graduating in exercise physiology in 2008, as well as at Logan University, (Missouri).
Master’s in Rehabilitation. He has the exercise physiology and rehabilitation center, where he applies his knowledge to patients, for more than eight years.
Athletes prepare for retirement
“I ask the young athletes, in addition to standing out on the courts, stadiums and roofs, to prepare for their retirement,” said the sports immortal.
Best moments
His best moments he remembers when he won gold in the first adult Pan American, ninth in the world France, England and Osaka, Japan and arrival at Hall of Fame.
Difficult moment
“A difficult moment when I had to withdraw due to no fault of my own, I don’t have a bad moment, because I practiced to learn.
“I don’t hold a grudge and I forget everything, because sport taught me to continue studying, I am very satisfied with my work and what I did, I remember with great joy.”
You have the merit of attending to two Olympic Games, Sidney, Australia 2000 and Athens, Greece 2004, in addition to the 1997 championships in Paris, France, where he finished ninth; Birmingham, England ’99, 9th place; in Munich, Germany 2001, also ninth place and in the 2003 universal event held in the Japanese city of Osaka, twelfth place.
He had his best performance in the Central American and Caribbean Games when he won the gold medal in the 100-kilogram category, as well as in the open modality of the 2002 El Salvador games. That same year he won gold in the United States Junior Open and three bronze in the same event, but in the senior category.
José Geraldino made his way into the national team in the 1990s. Between 1996 – 1998 and 2003 he was a bronze medalist at the junior Pan American championships. In 1997 he won his first gold in the Central American and Caribbean Judo Championships and defended his status as champion every year until 2002. Between 1998 and 2001 he was the champion of his category at the Mexico Open and from 1998 to 2002 of the similar version. held in Puerto Rico.
Vicbart Geraldino also won the title in the Simón Bolívar Tournament (Venezuela) from 1997 to 2001, he was champion of the Canadian Open.
With an award winner in 1997 as Dominican Olympic Committee Athlete of the YearGeraldino held the title of national champion in his division on at least ten occasions.
In 1999 he was the most valuable athlete on the Pan American tour, winning six gold medals. In the year 2000 he was declared Judoka of the Century by the Olympic Committee and by the Dominican Judo Federation, for his exploits.
