- George Chung
- Aug 9, 2024
- 3 min read
As we marvel at the athletic skill in the 2024 Paris Games, we are inspired to revisit some of the greatest martial arts champions of the Games.
From the grace and precision of judo to the explosive power of taekwondo, the Olympics have showcased countless moments of martial arts excellence. Among these champions, a few have risen to iconic status, their names synonymous with both their sport and the spirit of the Olympics. These athletes have not only earned medals but have also left indelible marks on their disciplines, inspiring future generations of martial artists around the world.
Judo
Judo was first included in the Summer Olympic Games at the 1964 Tokyo Games, marking the sport's debut on the global stage. Initially, only male judoka competed until the 1988 Summer Olympics, where women's judo was introduced as a demonstration sport. It wasn't until the 1992 Summer Olympics that women judoka were officially awarded medals, recognizing their skill and dedication alongside their male counterparts.
Teddy Riner
France
The Olympic GOAT, 4-time Gold Medalist.
Teddy Riner is widely acknowledged as the greatest judoka in the world, his career adorned with an impressive collection of accolades. With four Olympic medals, three of them gold and ten World Championship titles to his name, Riner's dominance in the sport is unparalleled. His remarkable ten-year unbeaten streak is a testament to his superior size, strength, and technique, which have consistently overwhelmed his opponents and set him apart in judo history.
Photo credit Judo Insider
Ryoko Tani
Japan
Photo credit Judo Insider
Tani is a Japanese martial arts legend winning medals in Judo at five Olympic Games.
Tani's Olympic journey began at the 1992 Barcelona Games, where she won a silver medal in the women's 48 kg category. She repeated this feat at the 1996 Atlanta Games, solidifying her status as a formidable competitor. It was at the 2000 Sydney Games that Tani achieved the pinnacle of her career, winning her first Olympic gold medal. She successfully defended her title at the 2004 Athens Games, further cementing her legacy.
Kayla Harrisson
USA
Photo credit Judo Insider
UFC great Kayla Harrison's Olympic significance is profound and multifaceted, as she made history by becoming the first American to win a gold medal in judo at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Her victory not only marked a milestone for American judo but also showcased the emergence of the sport on the global stage. Her achievement not only broke new ground for American athletes in a sport that had previously lacked prominence but also inspired a new generation of judokas, elevating the profile of judo in the United States and the world.
Tae Kwon Do
Taekwondo made its Olympic debut as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul Games, showcasing the martial art to a global audience. It was again featured as a demonstration sport at the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Due to its growing popularity and the efforts of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), taekwondo was officially included as a full medal sport in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
This inclusion marked a significant milestone, recognizing taekwondo's global appeal and the dedication of its practitioners.
Hadi Saei
Iran
The most successful Iranian athlete in Olympic history and the most titled champion in the sport of Tae Kwon Do by winning 19 world class titles (three olympic titles in 2000, 2004 and 2008, two world championships titles, four world cup titles and one world olympic qualification tournament. Saei along with Steven Lopez are the only men to capture 3 Olympic medals in Tae Kwon Do.
Panipak “Tennis” Wongpattanakit
Thailand
Thailand's greatest Tae Kwon Do champion, Panipak "Tennis" Wongpattanakit, achieved historic success by winning the gold medal in the 49 kg category at the 2024 Olympics. She became the first Thai athlete to win two consecutive Olympic gold medals and the first Thai to earn three consecutive Olympic medals. Panipak is also tied with Korea’s Hwang Kyung-seon for the most Olympic Tae Kwon Do medals for a female athlete.
Arlene Limas
USA
Former open tournament karate champion turned Olympian, Arlene Limas, had a highly successful career, winning numerous national and world championships on the open circuit.
However, it was the Olympic calling that led the Chicago native to change her training techniques to Olympic-style Taekwondo.
Limas made history when she became the first American to win a gold medal in Taekwondo at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea, where the sport made its Olympic debut as an exhibition event. Her groundbreaking achievement not only highlighted her versatility and dedication but also paved the way for future American athletes in the sport.
