There are athletes who leave behind medals and there are athletes who leave behind something far greater: emotion, honesty and inspiration. Julia Figueroa belongs firmly in the latter category. The Spanish judoka has announced her retirement from elite competition, bringing an end to a career built not only on international success but on resilience, persistence and an pure love for the sport. For more than a decade, Figueroa stood among Europe’s elite in the -48 kg category, proudly representing Spain on the world’s biggest stages.
Affectionately known within the Spanish national team as “Mon”, Figueroa was admired not only for her performances on the tatami but also for her personality and honesty away from competition. In an emotional interview conducted by Ian Saiz, she opened up about the highs and lows surrounding the end of her competitive career.
Her final appearance came on home soil at the La Nucia/Benidorm European Open on 17 May, where she chose to make her last bow surrounded by familiar faces and the support of the Spanish crowd. It was a fitting closing chapter for an athlete who dedicated so much of herself to Spanish judo.
Yet, as she reflected on her journey, it was not medals or rankings that came first to mind.
“It has been hard… maybe I would have liked to finish in another way but I am very proud of the work I have done and what I did every day to try.”
Those words perhaps define her career better than any statistic ever could. Figueroa competed at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, fulfilling a dream she had carried since childhood. Speaking about the Olympic movement still clearly touches something deep within her.
“When I watched the Olympic Games, especially the opening ceremony and I saw the Olympic rings rise up… I wanted to be there.”
And she was. Twice.
Among the highlights of her career were multiple IJF World Tour medals, as well as podium finishes at the European Championships and European Games. She qualified for two consecutive Olympic Games, an achievement realised by only a small number of athletes. Figueroa also claimed a World Championships bronze medal in 2021 and a Masters bronze medal in 2016, proudly representing Spain among the very best judoka on the planet.
However, behind the results stood years of sacrifice invisible to most people. In her farewell reflections, Figueroa spoke openly about injuries, struggles and the difficulty of accepting circumstances outside her control.
“When the Olympic qualification [Paris 2024] ended, I wanted to continue competing because physically I felt very good but things outside my control hurt me. I got injured again and that was a very hard moment.”
Still, even in those difficult moments, her character remained unchanged. When asked to describe herself in a single word, her answer came immediately:
“Tenacious.”
It is difficult to find a more fitting description.
Throughout her career, Figueroa became an example for younger generations, not because everything came easily but precisely because it did not. She repeatedly underlined that success was never based on natural talent alone.
“I’m not some extraordinary talent. I work hard every day.”
That honesty made her relatable. That determination made her exceptional. As she now steps away from elite competition, she leaves behind a message that reaches beyond judo.
“If it’s what you want, chase it. It may not work out but if you try with everything you have, you never regret it.”
For Spanish judo, Julia Figueroa’s retirement marks the end of an era. For those who followed her journey, it is also a reminder of what high-performance sport truly looks like behind the spotlight: vulnerability, sacrifice, courage and persistence.
The tatami will miss her presence, her fighting spirit and her authenticity but her story will remain an important part of European judo.
Source: Ian Saiz
Author: EJU Media