Saudi judoka Hessah Almelaiki’s journey from ‘curiosity’ to gold

ALKHOBAR: What began as “curiosity” at university has turned into a golden future for Hessah Almelaiki.

When the young Saudi first stepped onto a judo mat in 2018, she never imagined she would one day stand on a podium holding the Kingdom’s flag, with a gold medal around her neck.

“I joined a judo class out of curiosity,” Almelaiki said. “But from the first session, I was captivated by its balance between strength, strategy, and respect. Judo teaches you to fall, learn, and rise stronger every time.”

That simple, yet profound, philosophy has guided her journey from student to champion, from a young woman discovering herself to a national athlete symbolizing Saudi women’s growing presence in global sports.

The turning point came when Almelaiki represented Saudi Arabia for the first time on an international stage.

“Standing there with my country’s flag on my back, that was it,” she said. “It gave me purpose. I realized I wasn’t just fighting for myself but for every Saudi woman who dreams of competing.”

From that moment, she committed to professional training and a disciplined routine of early morning drills, tactical analysis, and strength sessions.

Her determination paid off in Amman, Jordan, in 2025, where she clinched the gold medal at the Asian Open in the under-52 kg category, marking one of the most significant milestones for Saudi women’s judo.

“When I stood on the podium and heard my country’s name announced, I remembered every injury, every moment of doubt, every night I pushed through exhaustion,” she said.

For her, that victory represented the resilience of Saudi women and the nation’s rapid evolution in sports under Vision 2030. “That medal wasn’t just mine,” she added. “It was for every woman