Cuban judoka Elianys Rojas Columbié, a 14-year-old brown belt from Ciego de Ávila, is defined not by her collection of gold medals but by her perspective on defeat. After a loss to a Brazilian competitor in a Pan American tournament, she analyzed her mistake, a disqualification by hansoku make, and extracted a lesson that she says will make her a better judoka. This approach, focusing on growth over glory, is central to her young but already accomplished career.
Rojas’s path in judo began at age seven, influenced by her parents, who were both judokas. She has since become a provincial champion and a two-time gold medalist in the Copa Ronaldo Veitía in Varadero, in addition to a fifth-place finish in last year’s Pan American Open. Despite this success, Rojas emphasizes the learning that comes from setbacks. “I should have attacked more in the fight,” she said of her recent loss. “I lost by hansoku make (disqualification). That defeat taught me that I have to prepare better, that one cannot stop in trying to always do better.”
A Legacy of Learning
Judo, a discipline that values technique, discipline, and courage over gender, is often a family tradition for Rojas. Growing up surrounded by the commands of the dojo, the colorful belts, and the scent of sweat, she knew from a young age that judo would be her path. Her current accolades are numerous: several provincial championship titles and top-five finishes in major international competitions, a record that many veterans would envy.
Her most recent tournament, which featured competitors from Cuba, Ecuador, Brazil, and the United States, provided a significant challenge. Her toughest opponent was a judoka from Brazil. The loss, however, did not discourage her. Instead, it reinforced her belief that each fall is a step up. This mindset, what is described as the “lineage of good judokas,” transforms every defeat into a building block for future success.
The Technical Arsenal of a Young Champion
Rojas’s technical repertoire is extensive, a collection of skills honed through years of practice since she first stepped onto the tatami at seven years old. She prefers to dominate her fights using a combination of throws, favoring her left-side posture for techniques like seoi nage (shoulder throw), o goshi, and harai goshi (hip throws). On her right, she relies on ippon seoi nage and tai otoshi (arm throw).
Her ability to combine techniques sets her apart. She often links harai goshi with o soto gari (a leg sweep) and pairs ippon seoi nage with ko uchi gari (a small inner reap). Such a diverse and polished skill set is not improvised; it is meticulously developed through years of repetitive practice, throw by throw, and fall by fall. The complexity of her moves demonstrates a deep understanding of judo’s strategic and technical demands.
Discipline Beyond the Tatami
Her focus extends beyond the mat. Rojas is a ninth-grade student at the School of Sports Initiation (EIDE) Marina Samuel Noble in Ciego de Ávila. She maintains good grades and is quiet by nature, preferring to speak only when necessary. “I get embarrassed to speak in public,” she explained. “I speak only when I think it’s necessary. I don’t like to mess around in training and I try to pay attention in class to keep my good grades.” This discipline, both in and out of the dojo, is a cornerstone of her character and a key to her development as an athlete.
Rojas understands that respect is earned through action, not words. She does not need to boast or draw attention to herself; her commitment to training and study speaks for itself. This quiet confidence and respect for the sport’s traditions are hallmarks of a mature judoka, traits that will serve her well as she advances to higher levels of competition.
The Long Road Ahead
Her next goal is to earn her black belt, but Rojas is in no rush. She has recently moved up to the cadet category for ages 15-17, a division that requires more sacrifice. “I aspire to train more, because I moved to the cadet 15-17 first year and I know I have to sacrifice to see if one day I can represent Cuba in a seniors tournament,” she stated. Her ambition is not centered on immediate medals or podiums but on the long-term goal of competing for her country at the highest level.
Rojas acknowledges that her progress is built on the foundation laid by her coaches. She credits Aliosha Rodríguez, her first coach in the town of Gaspar; Alexei Mendibur and Mario Salomón at the provincial academy; and her current mentors at the EIDE, Yodanys Bustamante and Alexander Zulueta, with support from Noel Pedroso and professor Olayme Góngora. Each name, she says, is a link in the long and difficult chain of judo.
“The long and difficult road of judo,” she says, summing up her philosophy. There are no shortcuts, only the tatami, the falls, and the disqualifications that teach more than a gold medal ever could. And there is a 14-year-old brown belt who first walked into a gym to “play” and never left. That day marked the beginning of everything.
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