Carmen Chalá

Carmen Anita Chalá Quilumba (born June 7, 1976) is a judoka and former field athlete from Ecuador.

Early life, family and education Carmen was born in the Ecuadoran province Carchi but at heart she is from Manabí. Her family has many athletes in it: older sister Eva, and younger sisters Diana and Vanessa have all been national judo team members.

Athletic career Carmen Chalá was a national champion in athletics in shot put and discus throw. However, by 1995, realizing that there are not many chances to be a successful field athlete at an international level, she began learning and practicing judo. She was 29 years old, considered very late to begin an endeavor like that. Her older sister Eva Chalá inspired her to try judo as she was already involved in it herself; Eva later became a referee for the sport as well.

After only a month of judo training, Carmen became a national heavyweight champion. In the final, she defeated Olympian María Cangá, whom Carmen considered the nation's top female judo athlete.

Although her success has been primarily within South American contests, Chalá participated at three Olympic Games but won only one match, defeating Sandra Köppen of Germany at the 2004 Olympic Games. In 2009, she wanted to join in politics but later delayed her candidature. She decided to continue as an athlete, aspiring to participate in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, but she did not.

Achievements Year Tournament Place Weight class2000 Olympic Games ACHeavyweight (+ 78 kg)2004 Olympic Games ACHeavyweight (+ 78 kg)2008 Olympic Games 18thHeavyweight (+ 78 kg)

Year Tournament Place Weight class1999 Pan American Games 3rdHeavyweight (+ 78 kg)2003 Pan American Games 3rdHeavyweight (+ 78 kg)2007 Pan American Games 2ndHeavyweight (+ 78 kg)