Brussels, 17 June 2016 – The Belgian Olympic and Sport Committee has awarded its Order of Merit for the fourth consecutive time, to judoka Ingrid Berghmans, whose brilliant career has had a huge impact on Belgian sport, but also on judo worldwide.

Belgian sport’s highest decoration was awarded at the general meeting of the Belgian Olympic and Sports Committee, on 10 June, at Belfius Congress Centre in Brussels.

The COIB first conferred the Order of Merit in 2013, and has since awarded it annually to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the Olympic Movement on behalf of Belgium.
Thanks to a fantastic technique and impressive strength, Ingrid Berghmans has won six world titles and seven European titles, making her the Belgian pioneer of women’s sports and more.
In 1988, Ingrid Berghmans took part in the first women’s judo tournament at the Olympic Games in Seoul, becoming the symbol of a turning point in the history of judo. With her performance and personality, she gave a huge boost to the sport. In 2013, she was the first woman to be included in the Judo Hall of Fame and has been elected Belgian Sportswoman of the Year no less than eight times.
NOC President Pierre-Olivier Beckers said: “Apart from the tatami, Ingrid Berghmans has inspired and encouraged hundreds of people to sport. And she still does it. Having her on our board was a real added value. I am very honoured to hand this award to Ingrid Berghmans. She has more than earned this distinction with her commitment to sport. “

Cycling champion Eddy Merckx was the first recipient of the COIB’s Order of Merit in 2013, followed by Olympian cyclists Patrick Sercu and Gaston Roelants in 2014, and Robert Van de Walle, the first judoka to ever compete at five Olympics (from 1976 to 1992) in 2015.