Kayla Harrison

Olympic Gold Medalist, Judo

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Boston, MA, United States

Kayla Harrison
Biography

Kayla Harrison is the only American to win an Olympic gold medal in judo. Born in Middletown, Ohio, Harrison took up judo at the age of six, having been introduced to the sport by her mother who was a black belt.

Harrison, who moved up from 63kg to 78kg in 2008, won the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Judo that year, but was unable to compete in the Beijing Olympics as Team USA had not qualified in their division. In 2009, she became the second U.S. athlete ever to compete in two Junior World finals where she won a silver medal.

Harrison made her mark at the senior international level in 2010 when she became the first U.S. woman to win a World Championship in 26 years, going undefeated in five matches to win gold. On August 2, 2012, she won the Olympic title in the 78 kg category, dramatically defeating Gemma Gibbons of Great Britain, to become the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in judo.

The coveted gold medal caps an extraordinary journey for Harrison, who in 2007 put her former coach behind bars for sexually abusing her as a teen. Putting triumph over tragedy, she bravely testified against her abuser and he is now serving a 10-year prison sentence. Harrison, who went public with her ordeal in 2011, says, "Since I've come out with my story, the reaction has been nothing but overwhelmingly kind. Now I'm going to have a platform to be able to help people."

Harrison and her fiance, firefighter Aaron Handy, reside in Massachusetts.

Kayla Harrison
Featured Articles & Resources

Two-Time Olympic Champion | Kayla Harrison Wins Gold Again!

By Kayla Harrison

Olympic Gold Medalist, Judo

In 2012, Kayla became the first American woman to win Gold in judo after a five-match undefeated streak and World Championship victory. This year’s Rio games has been no...

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Quick answers to some of the most common questions about booking Kayla Harrison for your event.

How do I book Kayla Harrison for my event?

Booking Kayla Harrison with Premiere Speakers Bureau is a streamlined 4-step process:

Availability Check: Contact us with your event date and budget to verify if your desired speaker is available.
Hold Date: We place a temporary "hold" on the speaker's calendar while you finalize internal approval.
Contracting: We issue a contract outlining the fee, cancellation policy, and event expectations.
Logistics: Once signed, our event management team handles all travel booking, itinerary, and AV requirements.

Why should I partner with Premiere Speakers Bureau rather than contacting speakers directly?

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Premiere Speakers Bureau distinguishes itself by having over 30 years of experience while partnering with more than 35,000 events. PSB has also built a streamlined, fully online process that makes booking a speaker, handling travel and payments extremely easy for anyone looking to plan a speaker led event.

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Travel expenses are negotiated during contracting. We generally recommend a flat travel fee for simplicity, though we also offer line-by-line invoicing when preferred. PSB ensures these expenses adhere to professional standards, and our Event Portal allows for easy tracking and invoicing.