Former judoka Salima Souakri, 1st Algerian to be decorated by Japan’s Order of Rising Sun, Golden rays with rosette
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- Former Algerian judoka Salima Souakri is honored by the State of Japan for her achievements in favor of Judo throughout her sports career.
The former Secretary of State to the Minister of Youth and Sports, in charge of elite sport, has been awarded by the State of Japan with the Order of the Rising Sun with Golden Rays with Rosette, becoming the first Algerian woman to be decorated with this order medal.
“This medal is awarded to Salima Souakri for her broad contribution to the promotion of judo in Algeria as well as mutual understanding between Japan and Algeria,” said the statement from the Japanese Embassy.
“Souakri has become the first Algerian woman to receive a medal from the Japanese government and also the youngest person to have received this decoration among the Algerian predecessors,” it added.
The decoration ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 27 (6:00 p.m.) at the Japan residence in Ben Aknoun, Algiers.
After a sporting career rich in awards, including eight African champion titles, three gold medals at the African Games, a gold charm at the Mediterranean Games and four participations in the Olympic Games (1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004), Salima Souakri (48), former Minister Delegate in charge of elite sport and judo coach, is also the winner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Women and Sport Award 2020 for Africa.
Souakri is also the first African judoka to win the gold medal at the Grand Slam in Paris.
Since her retirement from the tatami, she has remained active in the sport, social assistance and media sectors. Salima was the first Algerian woman nominated as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and is a prominent member of the Gender Equity Commission of the International Judo Federation.
