Strength is the word that best defines Kayla Harrison. The same attribute that she uses to overcome her adversaries on the judo mat was fundamental as she overcame personal trauma on the way to becoming the first US judoka to win an Olympic gold medal. As she told rio2016.com about her preparations for defending her 78kg title at the Rio Games, her physical and mental resilience came to the fore again.

“I underwent knee surgery in 2013, returned to competition last year and in 2015 my top priority is to prepare well for the Rio 2016 Games,” said the 24-year-old. “The Games are getting closer and this inspires me. With every day that passes and every training session I complete, I feel more prepared to defend my title.”

To hear such determination from Harrison is not surprising. After going through hugely difficult times during her adolescence, she triumphed on the biggest stage of all and has become a beacon of hope for young people. Between the ages of 13 and 16, Harrison was sexually abused by her coach. To get over the trauma – which made her want to leave the sport and even contemplate suicide – Harrison had to move to another state, leaving her training base in Ohio and heading for Massachusetts to work with Olympic medallist Jimmy Pedro.

Harrison was one of about 200 judokas who came from around the world for a training camp in Brazil (Photo: Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)

After overcoming depression, she showed the first signs of having left the past behind in 2008, when she won the junior world title. She went on to join the ranks of judo’s elite, taking the senior world title in 2010, before her success at the London 2012 Olympic Games. She has also established her own charity – the Fearless Foundation – that uses sport and education to help victims of child sexual abuse to overcome their past and flourish in life.

“What makes me happy is to see that the problem I had in the past no longer defines me,” she said. “The titles show that I have overcome the past, but simply to accept this would be selfish on my part. I think that nothing happens by chance and today I realise that the recognition I received with the Olympic gold means that I can help others who have gone through the same situation as me. I set up the foundation to help young girls and boys who have suffered abuse and that’s what I will do for the rest of my life. It is much bigger than me, judo and the Olympic Games.”

Having reached the top of her sport in London, Harrison initially planned to hang up her kimono after the London Games, but soon had a change of heart. “I wanted to see if I could do well at something else, but time was passing and I started to miss judo and the training sessions. Professionally, I am totally fulfilled and have already achieved my two objectives: the world title and Olympic gold. But I realised that I can become one of the best and help develop judo in my country. That’s why today I’m fighting to build a legacy.”

The training camp has given Harrison a taste of what the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will be like (Photo: Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)

Harrison is currently taking part in an international judo training camp taking place for the second year running at the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation’s training centre in Saquarema, close to Rio de Janeiro. Organised by the Brazilian Judo Confederation, the event has brought together about 200 athletes from 12 countries for a 10-day training session (see photos below) that ends on Saturday (7 February).

“I’m sure the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will be incredible, a lot of fun,” said Harrison. “I feel good in Brazil. The fans are passionate and understand judo, which motivates me a lot. Cariocas are very friendly and lively. I don’t think I have spoken to anyone here who didn’t have a smile on their face. I think it must be the beaches.”

Currently seventh in the 78kg world rankings, in order to earn a place at the  Rio 2016 Games Harrison must stay in the top 14 until the qualification period closes on 29 May 2016.