Kelita Zupancic Quotes
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The Olympics were life-changing for me. I felt I went in as a girl and came out as a woman.
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During practice, I train with both women and men. I think it's good to have a mixture of strengths because both have different fighting styles. Every person offers something different, and the more body types you get used to, the better fighter you will become.
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People often don't believe me when they first meet me and I tell them I'm a judoka. I then show them my arms, which speak for themselves.
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We train and work so hard in our sport, we would be nothing less than a warrior. Day in, day out, this is our life. It's everything. The Olympic dream.
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Definitely, I got a reputation growing up playing on the guys' hockey teams. The guys knew how tough I was because I played with them. I got quite a good reputation for beating up boys going up through school.
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A strong, powerful, successful woman is always intimidating.
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With three younger brothers, we were always very competitive and combative. But my mother always says I get the drive from her.
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To be an Olympic athlete is an honour, a privilege. They're so respected. This is my dream. I have to do this.
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Just dream big. Anything is possible.
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I have my Grade 1 autobiography that says I'm going to the 2012 Olympic Games, and it has a picture of me on the podium. So, I've known my whole life. It's not something I just thought of. I've known I would be an Olympic athlete; didn't know what sport, but I drew myself in a judo gi.
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Taking care of my skin so that it's healthy and glowing, especially with all the travelling and training, is important and makes me feel presentable. I don't wear makeup when I compete, and that's when I'm photographed the most, so I have to make sure it looks good!
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When I'm not working out, it's important to me to express the creative, girly side of my personality.
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I grew up with three younger brothers, so it was always 'compete against your brothers.' I've always had to stand up for myself. I love that. I love proving myself, that women can be just as good as men.
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At the end of the day, you can only fight from yourself. It is only you out there on that mat - but it sure helps knowing you have a great team of supporters cheering for you!