Amarilis Savón

Amarilis Savón belongs to the golden generation of Cuban judo. The lightweight star built one of the most consistent international careers of the 1990s and early 2000s and became a symbol of strength in the women’s -48kg division.

Savón won Olympic bronze three times, in Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000. Reaching the Olympic podium across three Games confirmed her remarkable longevity at the highest level.

Her biggest global triumph came later in her career. In 2003 Savón captured the World title, adding the missing crown to a collection that already included multiple World Championship medals. In total she stepped onto the world podium four times.

Across the Pan American region she was almost untouchable. Savón dominated continental competition and collected ten Pan American titles, making her one of the most successful athletes the region has produced.

One of the defining rivalries of her era was against Japanese superstar Ryoko Tani-Tamura. Their clashes symbolised the battle between two of the strongest lightweight judoka of that generation.

Savón also proved herself on the international circuit. She won the prestigious Tournoi de Paris in 1996 and again in 1999. In addition she triumphed four times at the German Open World Masters, underlining her consistency against elite opposition.

With Olympic medals, a world title and dominance across the Americas, Amarilis Savón remains one of Cuba’s greatest judoka and a key figure in the history of women’s judo.

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