Kayla Harrison says she almost quit judo because of sexual abuse by a coach. Instead, she’s now the first American to win Olympic gold in the sport.
Harrison, 22, won the women’s under-78-kilogram division in London on Thursday, beating the United Kingdom’s Gemma Gibbons in the finals of a 21-woman tournament.
Harrison, a Middletown, Ohio, native training in Massachusetts, became the United States’ only Olympic champion in the sport – woman or man. Ranked No. 4 in the world, she had upset top-ranked Brazilian Mayra Aguiar in the semifinals.
She started judo at roughly age 7. But to get to this point, she has said, she needed to overcome sexual abuse – starting at age 13 – by the person who was then coaching her.
“When I was 16, I told a close friend of mine, who immediately told my mother, and she immediately went to the police and pressed charges. The FBI got involved, and he’s actually serving 10 years … in prison,” Harrison told CNN’s Ashleigh Banfield on July 9, weeks before the Olympics began.
“Every day was a lie. Inside, I was in constant turmoil, but on the outside I was supposed to be this golden girl and so happy,” Harrison said.
Harrison said she almost dropped judo because of the abuse. She said that it was not only “hard to deal with to be normal, but also to compete in the sport.”
But she decided to stick with judo, going on to win gold at the 2008 Junior World Championships and the 2010 World Championships.
“You get to the point where you decide that you don’t want to be a victim anymore and that you’re not going to live your life like that,” she said.
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Kayla, Congratulaions on YOUR victory in LIFE as well as YOUR Gold medal.
I skimmed the headline about an abused woman winning gold in Judo and was pretty sure the Saudi woman won.
Why are the Twitter DUDS not calling her names on line like they are doing to Gabby. Guess! This wonderful Judo Winner is a first also. But the hateful B's on line went after the first black child and tried to paint her as something evil. America has free speach, but we don't need haters.
1. Anyone who uses Twitter is a loser. Enough said.
2. It is wonderful that an American woman won the overall gold. Why do you have to label her as the first black woman to win the overall gold? Will she have an asterisk by her name in the record books which denotes her as being different from the other gold medal gymnasts (i.e., somehow inferior?). Why can't she just be the best, instead of being the best black gymnast? Why don't all of the articles about Michael Phelps mention that he is the first White olympian to win 19 medals? Would that make a difference?
This country will only have equality when all of these "minority" groups stop their whining and instead aspire to be Americans, not hyphenated Americans.
@demo Joseph: Your post reeks of hate and where is there a mention of Twitter in this article. I guess you didn't notice that CNN and other news organizations use Twitter. I would put a bet on the fact that your business also uses Twitter for marketing purposes.
I don't feel like guessing. Tell us.
I'm sure when the Founding Fathers wrote free speech as an amendment, they meant free speech against the government. Meaning, people can call out politicians and not be tried for it. I hate it when people say bigoted, hateful things and then declare "well, it's my right to say whatever I want!"
Easy now, easy now. For four years these people have been throwing words at our first blak President and First Lady.So if they do the same to our Golden Gabby, who cares? America never shines brighter with our Golden President, First Lady and Golden Gabby. USA, USA, USA!
Beautiful woman...strong woman...I am proud she represented the US!!! LOVING TEAM USA!!!
well said
"The FBI got involved, and he’s actually serving 10 years … in prison,”
As he should be. Glad justice was served on congratulations on her big win!
And if you absolutely have to mention the abuse, the term is "abuse survivor," NOT "abuse victim." She is obviously not a powerless person.
actually the truth is it is about a 50/50 chance that a women has been abused. They just haven't come out and said it. THIS WOMAN IS MY HERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is very sad that this woman was abused by her coach. It is also sad that that is what it took to get Judo news coverage here in the US.
cry me a river! Is everybody that succeeds in anything does at great odds? I am getting sick of people always looking for sympathy even when they re sitting on top of the world!
You're already sick...
faboge,
Please show me where she is looking for sympathy. No, please quote the article. She stated that was quietly in pain – not seeking sympathy because she kept it to herself – and then said “You get to the point where you decide that you don’t want to be a victim anymore and that you’re not going to live your life like that”. I see strength, determination, and courage. Um, perhaps you should look to her for some redeeming qualities because you seem to be lacking in them tremendously.
abuse is grossly overplayed!
you must have abused a lot of people. You are not a human if you think this girl was not abused.
I wonder if those whom you've abused feel the same way.
why does the abuse headline come before her gold medal. ? why does the abuse angle need to be even in the story. SHe won a gold medal. Thats what she should be known for not abuse victim won gold medal
I understand exactly what you're saying, but there is another side. SA and other forms of abuse are far too often swept under the rug. Another poster said that it was overplayed.......the vast majority of survivors never report their abuse. I know literally hundreds of survivors and I can count on two hands how many have reported their abusers. Many of those were either ignored, not believed, or nothing was done to the abuser.
She may want to show other survivors that it is okay to speak out. If one child who is being abused hears of her story and speaks out it will be wonderful. We'll probably never know if someone does, but we can hope.
What an incredible inspiration and a phenomenal accomplishment! Congratulations!!!
This beautiful young woman brought home the GOLD!! Proof positive that bad things may happen in life, but they do not define who you are. She could have succomed and remained a victim. Instead, she has become the victor! I salute you pretty girl!! So proud of you and honored that you represent the USA!!!
This Gold Winner is a FABULOUS example of GOD's Grace and Mercy- SHE IS FABULOUS!!!YOU GO GIRL!!!!
Sad thing is the abuse story is overshadowing the fact that she is the First American Team Member to win a medal in Judo. And it's a Gold one too. Wish the television stations would get a clue and realize that THIS is the type of sport that is Olympic worthy but they never televise it because they're always focusing on the Non-Olympic type sports.