Two-time Olympic champion and UFC star comments on childhood sexual abuse: 'It took me years to recover'

Kayla harrison spoke about sexual abuse suffered in childhood / Reproduction UFC

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Kayla harrison still struggles with the ghosts of her past. Recently, the two-time Olympic judo champion in London-2012 and Rio-2016, and UFC athlete in the women's bantamweight category (up to 61,2 kg), gave an interview to the podcast OverDogs, when he spoke about a variety of topics, including his horrific experience of child sexual abuse.

As is common in cases like this, young Harrison was also targeted by an authority figure when she was 13: her first judo coach, Daniel Doyle, who was arrested. The fighter said she needed time as an ally to help heal the wounds of this trauma.

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“I was sexually abused by my first judo coach, and when I was 16, I finally told my mom what was happening. She pressed charges, he spent 10 years in federal prison, so it’s all good,” Kayla told the podcast.

Fortunately for Harrison and her fans, the abuse she suffered did not deter her, as she achieved enormous success as an athlete. Her Olympic medals for judo and subsequent dominant MMA career were all the result of her determination and skill.

“It took me years to recover from that (sexual abuse), and when I started getting press for the Olympics, I started sharing my story,” Kayla added.

Check out the interview below Kayla harrison to the podcast (32:11):

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GUESTS: Kayla harrison

chapters:
00:00 – Coming up
00:43 – Dirty Boxing Upcoming Event
01: 40 - Kayla harrison Joins!
02: 38 - UFC 308 Recap
08:34 – Kayla's Last Fight
12:04 – New UFC… pic.twitter.com/9vuzPmiOvk

— OverDogs Podcast (@OverDogsPodcast) November 5, 2024

Kayla Harrison

In MMA, Kayla became a two-time PFL lightweight champion (up to 70,3kg), achieving an impressive 15-0 record before finally being defeated by long-time rival, Brazilian Larissa pacheco, whom she had already beaten twice. After the defeat, she bounced back with a victory over Aspen ladd. This was her last fight under the PFL banner, after which she transitioned to the UFC, where she appears second in the women's bantamweight rankings.

Harrison now has a foundation that helps children and teenagers and their parents deal with abusive situations.