Carmen Chalá

Carmen Chalá

Personal information
Born	June 7, 1976
Medal record Representing  Ecuador Women's judo Pan American Games 2007 Rio de Janeiro + 78 kg 1999 Winnipeg + 78 kg 2003 Santo Domingo + 78 kg Pan American Judo Championships 2005 Caguas +78 kg 2005 Caguas Openweight 2006 Buenos Aires +78 kg 2007 Montreal +78 kg 2008 Miami Openweight 2009 Buenos Airesl +78 kg 2009 Buenos Aires Openweight South American Games 2002 Rio de Janeiro + 78 kg 2002 Rio de Janeiro Openweight 2006 Buenos Aires Openweight 2006 Buenos Aires + 78 kg 2010 Medellín + 78 kg 2010 Medellín Openweight Women's athletics South American Games 1990 Lima Shot put 1990 Lima Discus throw 1990 Lima Heptathlon Bolivarian Games 1993 Cochabamba Shot put 1993 Cochabamba Discus throw 1989 Maracaibo Shot put

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

Biography

Carmen was born in an Ecuadoran province Carchi but with heart she is from Manabí.^[1] She began with judo very very late when she was 29.

She used to be national champion in athletics in shot put and discus throw.

In 1995 she found that there aren't many chances to be a successful field athlete at an international level. Her older sister Eva Chalá inspired her to try judo because she practiced it herself. Carmen tried it and she was already at three Olympic Games and she is planning to participate at a fourth games in London.

One month later after first judo training she became a national champion in heavyweight. In the final she beat the best Ecuadoran judoka that time and Olympian María Cangá.

Chalá is from a big family. She has two younger stepsisters who are representing Ecuador in judo, Vanessa Chalá and Diana Chalá. She is like a mother for them and other Ecuadoran judokas like Glenda Miranda agree. They call her "Carmita".^[2]

In 2009 she wanted to join in politics but later delayed her candidature. She decided to continue as a sportsman and she wants to be in London. Maybe one day she will be president of Ecuador.^[3]

Judo

Chalá participated at three Olympic Games but won only one match in 2004 against Sandra Köppen from Germany.

Otherwise she is very successful at continental championships and games.

Achievements

Year	Tournament	Place	Weight class
2000	Olympic Games	AC	Heavyweight (+ 78 kg)
2004	Olympic Games	AC	Heavyweight (+ 78 kg)
2008	Olympic Games	18th	Heavyweight (+ 78 kg)

Year	Tournament	Place	Weight class
1999	Pan American Games	3rd	Heavyweight (+ 78 kg)
2003	Pan American Games	3rd	Heavyweight (+ 78 kg)
2007	Pan American Games	2nd	Heavyweight (+ 78 kg)

Year	Tournament	Place	Weight class
2005	Pan American Judo Championships	1st	Heavyweight (+ 78 kg)
2005	Pan American Judo Championships	1st	Openweight
2006	Pan American Judo Championships	3rd	Heavyweight (+ 78 kg)
2006	Pan American Judo Championships	8th	Openweight
2007	Pan American Judo Championships	3rd	Heavyweight (+ 78 kg)
2007	Pan American Judo Championships	7th	Openweight
2008	Pan American Judo Championships	5th	Heavyweight (+ 78 kg)
2008	Pan American Judo Championships	3rd	Openweight
2009	Pan American Judo Championships	3rd	Heavyweight (+ 78 kg)
2009	Pan American Judo Championships	3rd	Openweight
2010	Pan American Judo Championships	5th	Heavyweight (+ 78 kg)
2010	Pan American Judo Championships	10th	Openweight

Year	Tournament	Place	Weight class
2002	South American Games	1st	Heavyweight (+ 78 kg)
2002	South American Games	2nd	Openweight
2006	South American Games	3rd	Heavyweight (+ 78 kg)
2006	South American Games	2nd	Openweight
2010	South American Games	3rd	Heavyweight (+ 78 kg)
2010	South American Games	3rd	Openweight

References

1. http://www.ecuadorcoe.org.ec/htm/pagina_olimpicos_Carmen_Chala.htm
2. http://www.hoy.com.ec/noticias-ecuador/las-chala-llevan-el-judo-en-la-sangre-390886.html
3. http://www.telegrafo.com.ec/deportes/noticia/archive/deportes/2009/04/18/_1C20_No-puedo-pensar-en-revanchas_1D20_.aspx

External links

• JudoInside
• Sports-Reference (*June 7, 1976 - typing error)
• IAAF.org
• Facebook