Name Carmen Chala | Role Olympic athlete | |
6 judoca por siempre carmen chal judo
Carmen Anita Chalá-Quilumba (born June 7, 1976 in Carchi) is a judoka and former field athlete from Ecuador.
Contents
6. Judoca por siempre: Carmen Chalá (judo)
Biography
Carmen was born in an Ecuadoran province Carchi but with heart she is from Manabí. She began with judo very very late when she was 29.
She used to be national champion in athletics in shot put and discus throw.
In 1995 she found that there aren't many chances to be a successful field athlete at an international level. Her older sister Eva Chalá inspired her to try judo because she practiced it herself. Carmen tried it and she was already at three Olympic Games and she is planning to participate at a fourth games in London.
One month later after first judo training she became a national champion in heavyweight. In the final she beat the best Ecuadoran judoka that time and Olympian María Cangá.
Chalá is from a big family. She has two younger stepsisters who are representing Ecuador in judo, Vanessa Chalá and Diana Chalá. She is like a mother for them and other Ecuadoran judokas like Glenda Miranda agree. They call her "Carmita".
In 2009 she wanted to join in politics but later delayed her candidature. She decided to continue as a sportsman and she wants to be in London. Maybe one day she will be president of Ecuador.
Judo
Chalá participated at three Olympic Games but won only one match in 2004 against Sandra Köppen from Germany.
Otherwise she is very successful at continental championships and games.