WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE JUDO MEMORY?
My favorite judo memory I’ve had was when I traveled to my first European Cup in Italy with my coach, Sensei Chris Skelley. It was my first exposure to high level judo outside of the US and had opened my eyes to a new level of judo. I competed and did terribly first time as I did not believe in myself and was not confident. After the tournament was finished we stayed for the camp and it was one of the greatest times of my life. There was hundreds of Judokas on the mat and about 40 alone my size and all good. The entire time Sensei Chris was by my side, he showed me how I should treat camp, how I should fight, and overall brought me to a higher level both mentally and physically. In three days I went from being thrown around to throwing the number one ranked 48 and high ranked athletes around the world.

WHO DO YOU LOOK UP TO OR WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY?
I look up to many skilled and talented Judokas from all around the world but if I had to pick a role model that I truly look up to it would be Kayla Harrison. She is truly an amazing person on and off the mat. I’ve never seen a more dedicated person in the sport. She would work and train every day to the point where she would throw up from how hard she was training and I truly look up to her commitment. She had her ups and downs as an athlete and showed everyone what it takes to be on top. Off the mat she went from being at an all-time low to hitting the top and used her past to grow and become stronger. Both on and off the mat she is a true champion at heart and I look up to her for those reasons. The mentality of how to win and what it takes was shown to me at the Project 2024 Camp this summer and what environment she would train in that made me even more dedicated to win. I want to make history as great as Kayla’s and become a two time Olympic champion representing the US.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT JUDO HAS HAD ON YOUR LIFE?
From the start Judo has made me different than everyone at school and people in general and has forever changed my life. The sport has done so much for me personally. It’s made me disciplined, it’s made me stronger mentally and physically, and a better contributor to society. Judo has turned me into a person with a special goal in mind and one that will contribute my time and energy all to it. Its taught me to everyday lessons that I will always keep in my heart. Judo has taught me to push past my limit and that everything is mental. It’s made me different, a fighter, and a believer in myself for great goals. Judo has allowed me to see the world and new limits. Because of Judo I get to see the beauty of the world and the art of judo all over the world. It’s also allowed me to make great friends from all over that I grow with. Overall judo has bettered me as a person and I am forever grateful to the sport and its founder, Jigoro Kano.