Daria Bilodid — The Youngest Titled Judoka

Ukrainian judoka Daria Bilodid became the youngest world champion in judo, winning the title at the age of 17 in 2017.

Daria won the world championship twice (2017 and 2018) in the under-48 kg category. In 2020, at the Tokyo Olympics, Daria won a bronze medal, marking the first Olympic award of her career.

The head coach of the Ukrainian judo team, Vitalii Dubrova, commented on Daria Bilodid's defeat at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

According to him, the match against the Japanese competitor was even, but the third "shido" penalty was awarded prematurely. An injury and insufficient preparation limited her capabilities. After the loss, Daria could not hold back her tears. Her participation in the 2028 Olympics remains uncertain.

Recently, it was announced that Daria Bilodid was included in the Ukrainian national team for 2025, according to an order from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Daria was born on October 10, 2000, into the family of judoka Gennadii Bilodid and his wife Svitlana Kuznetsova. She began practicing judo under the guidance of her parents, who are professional coaches.

Bilodid stands out for her technique, flexibility, and strategic approach to matches. Her height (around 172 cm) is a significant advantage in the under-48 kg category, allowing her to effectively use grips and counterattacks.