Judo - Ronda Rousey

About

Ronda Rousey is a renowned American athlete known for her exceptional skills in judo, mixed martial arts (MMA), and professional wrestling. Born on February 1, 1987, Rousey began her judo career under the guidance of her mother, AnnMaria De Mars, a world champion judoka. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the youngest judoka to qualify for the 2004 Athens Olympics at age 17. Rousey's judo prowess was highlighted by her explosive throws and devastating armbars, which later became her signature moves in MMA. Rousey's transition from judo to MMA was seamless, leveraging her grappling skills to dominate opponents. She became the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in judo, securing bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Rousey's MMA career flourished as she became the inaugural UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion, defending her title six times. She was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018. Rousey also had a successful stint in WWE, winning multiple championships. Her judo background played a crucial role in her success across different combat sports.