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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 proving her place in international arenas.”

Competing in martial arts as a Saudi woman once came with cultural challenges and limited resources.

“Early on, opportunities and facilities were rare,” Almelaiki recalled. “Traveling abroad for training meant adjusting to new cultures, languages, and competitors with far more experience.”

Instead of letting obstacles define her, she turned them into motivation. “Every challenge became a reason to push harder,” she said. “The support from my federation, coaches, and family gave me the strength to keep going.”

Her perseverance silenced doubts and earned her respect on the international circuit, where she is recognized for her composure, tactical precision, and relentless drive.

Outside competition, Almelaiki maintains the same discipline in her academic life. She is pursuing a master’s in criminology, a field she says complements her athletic mindset.

“Both judo and criminology demand focus, patience, and analysis,” she explained. “In judo, you study your opponent’s movements. In criminology, you study human behavior. Both require balance between intellect and instinct.”

She organizes her days with near-military precision, training at dawn, attending lectures by day, and studying late into the night. “Being a student-athlete has made me more resilient and grounded,” she said.

For Almelaiki, her success is not just about medals. “I want every Saudi girl watching to know that opportunity exists,” she said. “That she can wear the gi, step on the tatami, and win, not just in sports, but in life.”

Her journey reflects the broader transformation unfolding across Saudi Arabia, where women are taking leading roles in fields once closed to them.

“The next generation will go further than us,” she said confidently. “My role is to make sure they have a path to walk on, one built with belief and hard work.”

Almelaiki views judo as a lifelong mission. “It’s a way of thinking,” she said. “Judo teaches you humility, respect, and patience. You learn to control not only your opponent but also yourself.”

Her goals now go beyond personal achievement and representing the Kingdom in international competitions. She aims to establish training programs for Saudi youth and promote female participation in combat sports.

“I carry my country in every match,” she said. “That’s my greatest honor.”