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Paula Pareto
A doctor and Olympic judoka, world champion and gold medalist. She inspires with her story of effort, discipline and humility, demonstrating that sporting greatness can coexist with vocation and human commitment.
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Who is Paula Pareto?
Paula Belén Pareto, affectionately nicknamed "La Peque" (The Little One), is a legendary Argentine athlete who has transcended the world of sports due to her exceptional combination of achievements in judo and her professional career as a physician. Born in San Fernando, Buenos Aires Province, on January 16, 1986, Pareto is considered the best Argentine judoka in history and a true emblem of discipline, constant effort, and total dedication to her goals. Her career is distinguished by being the first Argentine woman to win an Olympic gold medal in an individual sport.
Her record in high-performance sports is simply exceptional and spans almost two decades. She won her first Olympic medal, a bronze, at the 2008 Beijing Games. Eight years later, she reached the pinnacle of glory by becoming Olympic Champion in the under-48 kg division at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. These milestones are complemented by the title of World Judo Champion in 2015, three medals at World Championships, and multiple titles at Pan American Championships, achieving a consistent string of successes in the under-48 kg category.
What makes her career even more inspiring is that she pursued the demanding medical degree at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) while competing at the highest level. She graduated in 2014 and, after retiring from competition at the 2020 Tokyo Games (where she earned an Olympic diploma), completed her residency as an orthopedic surgeon at the San Isidro Hospital. This dual life, alternating between the mat and the operating room, has made her a symbol of perseverance and the ability to successfully manage multiple demands simultaneously.
Currently, Paula Pareto practices medicine, specializing in Orthopedics and Traumatology, applying her extensive knowledge of sports injuries. Although she no longer competes, she remains deeply involved in sports, serving as the Judo Technical Coordinator for the ENARD High-Performance Development Program, where she shares her experience with future generations of athletes.
