Alana Martins Maldonado

Started: She took up judo in 1999 at age four, and began competing in Para judo in 2014. (agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br, 10 Sep 2016; Athlete, 01 Apr 2016) Reason: She had family who were involved in judo, and they introduced her to the sport. (Athlete, 01 Apr 2016) Ambition: To win a gold medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (cpb.org.br, 31 Jan 2024) Milestones: She became the first female judoka representing Brazil to claim a gold medal at the Paralympic Games when she won the women's -70kg event at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. (SportsDeskOnline, 12 Feb 2024) Awards: She was named Female Athlete of the Year by the Brazilian Paralympic Committee [CPB] in 2017 and 2018. She was also named Para Judoka of the Year by the CPB in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2021, and won the CPB's People's Choice award in 2019. (cpb.org.br, 01 Dec 2023, 01 Jan 2019; olimpiadatododia.com.br, 18 Dec 2019) Additional Info: BREAK FROM SPORT In 2022 she took some time away from the sport in order to focus on her mental health. "I needed this time off to reconnect with myself and take care of my mental health. [After the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo] I went out on vacation but I did not rest. It was all interviews, recording sessions, gym, events. When I came back to training I sustained a meniscus injury and underwent surgery. Then I had another injury. My body was giving me some signs that I had to take my mind off that routine." (jornaldamanthamarilia.com.br, 11 Sep 2022)