Kayla Harrison

Kayla Harrison made history as the first American woman to win a gold medal at the 2010 World Judo Championships, a feat not achieved since 1984. This followed her victory at the 2008 Junior World Championship and a second-place finish in 2009, establishing her as a dominant force in judo. Harrison continued her historic run, securing back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the –78 kg category at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, becoming the first American judoka to achieve this distinction. She also earned a bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships.

In 2016, she was further recognized for her prowess, being promoted to Rokudan (6th-degree black belt) by the United States Judo Association, making her the youngest to reach this esteemed rank. In October 2016, Harrison transitioned her formidable judo skills to mixed martial arts (MMA), signing with World Series of Fighting. She later joined the Professional Fighters League (PFL), making her highly anticipated MMA debut at PFL 2 in June 2018. Harrison quickly dominated the lightweight division, becoming a two-time PFL Women’s Lightweight Champion with decisive victories in 2019 and 2021, solidifying her status as a premier fighter in the sport.

This historic victory established her as the first female fighter to win both an Olympic gold medal and a UFC championship, cementing her legacy across two elite combat sports. Harrison was also recognized for her unparalleled career in March 2023, with her induction into the International Sports Hall of Fame. Beyond her athletic achievements, Harrison is a staunch advocate for survivors, leveraging her platform to support philanthropic initiatives in this area.