Kayla Harrison

Sport: Judo

Nation: United States of America

DOB: July 2, 1990

Hometown: Middleton, OH

Career Highlights: All eyes will be on Harrison as she makes her Olympic debut. Two years after becoming the first American woman to win a judo gold medal at the world championships since Ann Marie Burns in 1984, Harrison has a chance to become the first American - man or woman - to claim one in the Olympics. This up-and-coming superstar pulled off a first-place finish at the PJC World Cup in May - her first tournament since partially tearing her MCL while training two months earlier. While it was uncertain how Harrison would respond given her injury, she defeated 2008 Olympic silver medalist Yalennis Castillo Ramirez of Cuba with relative ease. Harrison first garnered national attention in 2008, when she went undefeated in her weight division to become just the third American to the win the junior world championships. While expectations have since risen thanks to numerous medals, it’s safe to say this native of Middletown, Ohio, has what it takes to live up to the billing. Harrison is ranked No. 1 in the nation and No. 3 in the world in the women’s -78kg.

Olympic History: None