Mayra Aguiar

Mayra Aguiar da Silva (born 3 August 1991) is a Brazilian retired judoka. She was a bronze medallist in three consecutive Olympics, 2012, 2016 and 2020. She is also three-time world champion (2014, 2017 & 2022). She is the first Brazilian woman to win three Olympic medals in an individual sport, being the best female judoka in the history of Brazil.

Aguiar was born in Porto Alegre and began judo training when she was young.

Aguiar trains under Kiko (Antônio Carlos Pereira) in a group with João Derly in SOGIPA. Derly and Camilo are also her sporting idols.

Career

2006–2008

At 15 years old, she won a bronze at the 2006 World Judo Juniors Championships.

At the 2007 Pan American Judo Championships, she won a silver medal.

When she was still 15 years old, she competed at 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro and won a silver medal, losing in the final to future UFC champion Ronda Rousey.

At the 2008 Pan American Judo Championships held in Miami, she became champion of this competition for the first time, obtaining the gold medal.

2008 Summer Olympics

In 2008, Aguiar competed at Olympic Games in Beijing but lost her only match with Spanish judoka Leire Iglesias.

After the 2008 Summer Olympics

At the 2008 World Judo Juniors Championships, she won a silver medal.

In December 2008, Aguiar suffered a serious injury to her right knee. She was unable to perform any judo training for almost ten months, coming back only in September 2009.