Telma Monteiro retires after long lasting and successful career

Portuguese judo star Telma Monteiro says farewell to her active judo career. Telma Monteiro had a long and fruitful career that has raised the prestige of Portuguese judo since July 2007, she has made a decisive contribution to the growth and development of the sport at Benfica.

She is considered to be the best Portuguese judoka of all time, she won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, having also taken part in the 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2020 Olympics. She has four silver medals and one bronze medal to her name in World Championships
With resilience, a unique Telma Monteiro achieved high and consistent international respect - she even topped the world rankings in 2015 in the U57kg category and she was the judoka with the most medals in the history of the European Championships, a competition she won six times, came second in two editions and third in seven.
She remained in the limelight for years on end, regularly climbing the podium - over a career spanning 24 years, 94 medals have been won, from the youth ranks to the present day - and thus ensuring prestige for Portugal in World Cups, European Cups, Grand Prix, Grand Slam and other competitions among the world's judo elite.
Telma Monteiro is now taking on a new professional challenge as judo coordinator at the her club Benfica, to develop and inspire new generations.