We are celebrating the most influential and accomplished Judoka females on the planet. From their remarkable performances on the mat to their impactful roles as ambassadors and advocates for the sport, we pay tribute to these legendary females for their enduring contributions. Here are the Most Influential Female Judoka.
The list does not constitute ranking:
Ronda Rousey
Kayla Harrison
Uta Abe
Rafaela Silva
Clarisse Agbegnenou
Marti Malloy
Daria Bilodid
Ryoko Tani
Kye Sun-hui
Ingrid Berghmans
Lynn Joyce Roethke
Driulis González Morales
Maria Pekli
Telma Monteiro
Most Influential Female Judoka
Ronda Rousey
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In the realm of combat sports, Ronda Rousey's name rings loud and clear, synonymous with titles in MMA, blockbuster movies, and electrifying WWE performances. Yet, beneath this star-studded persona lies a foundation built on the disciplined art of Judo.
Rousey's journey to greatness in Judo reached its zenith when she secured a bronze medal in the 70 kg class, etching her name in history as the first American woman to achieve such a feat since the sport's inclusion in the Olympics in 1992.
Transitioning seamlessly into the world of mixed martial arts, Rousey's prowess continued to dazzle. With an impressive streak of 12 consecutive victories, her trademark move, the armbar, proved unstoppable, often sealing her triumphs within the opening round. This technique, honed during her formative years in Judo, became her signature, solidifying her status as a force to be reckoned with in the cage.
Ryoko Tani
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Ryoko Tani nee Tamura is maybe the best female judoka ever in judo. The Japanese lightweight was seven times World Champion U48kg and won two Olympic titles in 2000 and 2004. She lost the finals of 1992 and 1996. She is a superstar and politician in Japan.
Standing at a mere 1.46 meters tall, Japan's Ryoko Tani burst onto the international stage at the tender age of 15, she clinched victory at the Fukuoka Cup, defeating the four-time world champion Karen Briggs. From there, Tani's dominance in the extra-lightweight category (-48kg) spanned two decades.
Tani's legacy is unparalleled: she is the first female judoka to compete in five Olympic Games, and she stands alone as the only one to secure a medal at each appearance. Her remarkable streak of 12 years without defeat at the international level, from 1996 to 2008, saw her triumph in every major competition she entered, solidifying her status as a judo legend.
Kayla Harrison
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Kayla Harrison an American professional mixed martial artist and Olympic and world champion judoka, currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Name synonymous with excellence in the world of Judo. Her legacy was sealed when in 2012 at the London Olympics she took gold in the 78 kg (172 lb) weight category.
The then 22-year-old Harrison. A former training partner of 2008 bronze medalist Ronda Rousey, was pitted against Great Britain's Gemma Gibbons in the final round of the women's 78kg (172 lbs) division. With the crowd firmly rooting for Gibbons, Harrison scored two yukos during the match to take the victory.
After the 2016 Olympics where she took her second gold, she moved into mixed martial arts and she was the former Professional Fighters League lightweight champion. In March 2023, Harrison was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.
Uta Abe
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Japanese judoka Abe Uta became Olympic Champion at Tokyo 2020. She is the quadruple world champion of 2023, 2022, 2019 and 2018. Abe was the Junior World Champion in 2017. She won the Grand Slams of Japan four times. In 2017 she won in Düsseldorf as the youngest ever winner of an IJF World Tour event. 2023 she became the International Judo Federation's 2023 Female Judoka of the Year.
With a string of impressive accomplishments on the international platform, Uta Abe's hunger for victory continues undeterred. Yet, her ambition transcends mere triumphs; she aims to showcase her formidable strength. Despite being dubbed "Japan’s Cutest Athlete" by some pundits, Uta is resolute in her quest for a different kind of recognition.
"I WILL EARN THEIR DESCRIPTIONS OF 'STRONG,' 'A MONSTER,' 'THE MOST POWERFUL.'"
Marti Malloy
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Originally from Whidbey Island in Northwestern Washington, Marti has been immersed in the world of judo since the tender age of six. Alongside her older brothers, she dove into the sport headfirst, learning Judo on a Naval Base. It didn't take long for her talent to shine through, as she clinched first place in her debut match mere months after starting, igniting her ambition to become an Olympic champion.
Marti's journey led her to San Jose State University, where she honed her skills under the tutelage of the renowned Sensei Yosh Uchida. During her tenure, she captained the team for three years while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in advertising, all while gearing up for the 2012 Olympics. Furthering her education, Marti pursued a Master's in Mass Communications at San Jose State, where she experienced consecutive banner years in 2012 securing a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in London and 2013. She clinched gold at the Miami Grand Prix, followed by silver at both the World Championships and the illustrious Tokyo Grand Slam.
Fast forward two decades, and Marti's name resonates throughout the judo community, both nationally and internationally, with a slew of victories under her belt. She currently holds the prestigious title of the top-ranked American player in her weight class.
Today, Marti's legacy endures as she serves on the Board for US Judo, passionately advocating for the sport. Professionally, she channels her expertise into marketing endeavors with The Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, seamlessly merging her passion for judo with her professional pursuits.
Rafaela Silva
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Rafaela Lopes Silva is a Brazilian judoka. She won gold medals at the World Judo Championships of 2013 and 2022 and at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the –57 kg weight division. In August 2013, she was the first Brazilian woman to become a world champion in Judo.
Born amidst poverty, violence, and crime, Rafaela's childhood in Cidade de Deus painted a grim picture of her future. Judo became more than just a sport for Rafaela—it became her escape route.
Under the mentorship of Brazilian judoka Flávio Conto and the transformative programs of the Institut Reaçao, a champion emerged like a phoenix from the flames, inspiring her nation and those she encountered on the tatami.
Clarisse Agbegnenou
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By securing her sixth world judo title, Clarisse Agbégnénou solidified her position as one of the most prominent gold-medal contenders for the 2024 Paris Games, marking a remarkable comeback to the sport's pinnacle just 11 months after welcoming her daughter, Athena.
Hailing from France, Clarisse Agbegnenou is a double Olympic Gold Medal Champion in U63kg and mixed teams in Tokyo 2021. She also won Olympic silver in Rio 2016. Clarisse is a six-time World Champion of 2023, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2014 and runner-up in 2013 and 2015 as well as a six-time European Champion in 2013, 2014, 2018-2020. She won European and World Team titles with France. Agbegnenou won the Grand Slam of Paris 7 times from 2013-2024. Agbegnenou won the World Masters in 2018 in Guangzhou and 2021 in Doha. She was the flag bearer at the 2020 Olympic Games for France.
Daria Bilodid
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Daria Hennadiyivna Bilodid is a prominent Ukrainian judoka. She clinched the gold medals at both the 2019 World Championships and the 2019 European Championships in the 48 kg division. Adding to her achievements, she secured a bronze medal in the women's 48 kg event at the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan, showcasing her exceptional talent on the global stage.
Telma Monteiro
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Telma Monteiro, the Olympic bronze medalist in Rio (2016), is a six-time European Champion and four-time Vice World Champion. With five World medals and fifteen European medals, she's a judo powerhouse. Victories include Grand Slam titles in Paris (2012, 2015) and Ekaterinburg (2018), plus bronze at the European Games (2019) and IJF World Masters (2019). As a flagbearer at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, she's aiming for her sixth Olympics and secured silver at the Grand Slam in Baku (2022).
Kye Sun-hui
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Born in Pyongyang, North Korea, Kye Sun-Hui enjoyed a highly successful judo career, earning acclaim with three Olympic medals across different weight categories.
At the tender age of 16, she secured the gold medal in the -48 kg category by defeating Japan's Ryoko Tamura in the final at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, thereby becoming the youngest judo champion in Olympic history.
Continuing her prowess on the global stage, four years later in Sydney, she added a bronze medal to her collection, followed by a silver at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, thus completing her Olympic medal collection.
In addition to her remarkable Olympic achievements, Kye Sun-Hui also clinched four world championship titles, solidifying her status as one of the most formidable judokas of her time.
The North Korean phenomenon Sun Hui Kye was a triple World Champion and Triple Olympic medallist from 1996-2004. In Atlanta 1996 she defeated Ryoko Tamura and became the youngest gold medalist in judo. Won six World Championships medals and starred at four Olympic Games until 2008. Kye was inducted into the IJF Hall of Fame in 2018.
Ingrid Berghmans
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Ingrid Berghmans is considered the most successful Belgian judoka, and one of the best. She was six times World Champion between 1980-1986 and won the 1988 Olympic title in Seoul, as well as a 7 times European Champion 1983-1989 and the first of a great Belgian generation.
She won the gold medal in the –72 kg class at the 1988 Summer Olympics, where women's judo appeared as a demonstration sport for the first time.
She was married to fellow Belgian judoka Marc Vallot. She was inducted into the IJF Hall of Fame.
Lynn Joyce Roethke
Lynn Joyce Roethke is an American female judoka. Among her most notable accomplishments, Lynn is a two-time Olympic athlete, a Pan American gold medalist, and a World Champion Silver medalist. She was the first female inducted into the 1989 Black Belt Hall of Fame as Judoka of the Year. She competed in the −61 kg division for most of her competitive career in the early 1980s through the late 1990s. Lynn competed in the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea where she won the silver medal in the -61 kg (134 lbs) division. This would make her the first American woman to compete in the finals. During these Olympics, women's judo was a demonstration sport, therefore did not count towards the USA's total medal count. Lynn was also a member of the Olympic team at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. Lynn is also a Pan American Games Champion in Sambo. Today she is still active as owner of Club Olympia Fitness in Wisconsin.
Driulis González Morales
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Cuban judoka Driulis Gonzalez Morales is a triple World Champion (1995, 1999, and 2007) and the 1996 Olympic Champion from Atlanta.
She is the winner of four Olympic medals from 1992-2004 and seven World Championships medals. She won 11 Pan American titles. Gonzalez dominated U57kg and U63kg. Driulis claimed 32 World Cup medals and she estimates her medal haul over 200.
The Cuban fighter was inducted into the IJF Hall of Fame in 2015.
She carried the flag for her native country at the opening ceremony of the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Along with Australia's Mária Pekli and Japan's Ryoko Tamura-Tani, Driulis is the first female judoka to compete at five Olympics.
The only other judokas to compete at five Olympics are Belgian Robert Van de Walle and Puerto Rican judoka-bobsledder Jorge Bonnet.
Maria Pekli
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Maria Pekli was born in Budapest, but in 1996 she moved to Australia she got in conflict with the Hungarian Association which cost her 3 years of competition.
Now reading in Melbourne she won a 2000 Olympic bronze medal. A five-time Olympic participant. She was inducted into the IJF Hall of Famer in 2015. Today she is the Australia Judo National Director.