MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (WDTN) – An entire town is ready to cheer on their golden girl. Middletown native Kayla Harrison is back in the Olympic spotlight, again representing the U.S. in women’s judo.
Kayla won Olympic gold in the London 2012 games and is looking to keep her crown in the 2016 games.
“You never dream something like that,” mother Jeannie Yazell said.
At the age of six Yazell signed her daughter up for judo, because it seemed like the less aggressive of the martial arts.
“Because I took that in college and there’s not kicking or punching in judo,” she said.
Little did she know, her daughter would take the mat for team USA and go for her second Olympic gold medal.
“Well you know it’s amazing to see what she’s done with it. I guess I didn’t know you know when your child is 6-years-old and you put them in a sport you don’t think that 20 years later they’re going to be you know an icon. They call her the queen of judo,” Yazell said.
Life hasn’t always been golden for Jeannie and her daughter. At the age of 13 Kayla was sexual abused by her former coach.
“There’s nothing in this world that can break her, because she’s been through that and there’s nothing harder to get through than something like that. To get through abuse,” she said.
Yazell said she channeled her energy into judo, “I know that in the beginning she definitely did and who wouldn’t?”
Fortunately what happen to her at a young age did not ruin her love for the sport. This week her mother plans to head to Rio to cheer her daughter on once again.
“I’m confident in her and we’re going for gold!” Yazell said.
She said Harrison plans to retire after the Olympics.What others are clicking on: