Christella Garcia
Paralympic Teams: 2016 (Bronze), 2012
IBSA World Championships: 2023 (Bronze)
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GOLD
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SILVER
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BRONZE
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GOLD
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BRONZE
Athlete Bio
Height
5’7”
Hometown
Sacramento, CA
Education
Sacramento City College
Weight Category: +70 kg
Club: Team Sacramento Judo
Career Highlights
- Current World Ranking: No. 4
- 2016 Paralympic Bronze Medalist (+70 kg)
- 2023 IBSA World Games Bronze Medalist (J1 +70 kg)
- 2x Paralympian (2016, 2012)
Personal
Garcia practiced judo for several years as a young child, and returned to the sport in her 20s with the goal of representing Team USA at the Paralympic Games. She qualified for her first Paralympic Team in 2012, finishing just off the podium in fifth in the 70 kg category. Garcia took several years off from the sport after London, but returned to competition in 2015 and ultimately moved up to the +70 kg category where she not only qualified for her second Paralympic Team in 2016, but claimed bronze in her new category - becoming just the second U.S. female judo athlete to medal at the Games.
Garcia makes and sells hair and skin products under her Angel Hands brand. She also works part-time at Massage Envy as a licensed and certified message tech. In her free time she enjoys reading and cooking.
Competition History
2023:
- Gold - IBSA Almada Grand Prix
- Bronze - IBSA World Games
- Bronze - IBSA Alexandria Grand Prix
2022:
Silver - IBSA Pan American Championships
2019:
- Bronze - Parapan American Games (70 kg)
2018:
- Silver - IBSA Pan American Championships (70 kg)
2016:
- Silver - IBSA Birmingham Grand Prix
- Bronze - Paralympic Games
2015:
- Fourth - Parapan American Games (70 kg)
2012:
- Fifth - Paralympic Games (70 kg)
2011:
- Bronze - ParaPan American Games (70 kg)
- Seventh - IBSA World Games (70 kg)
2010:
- Fifth - IBSA World Championships (70 kg)
2009:
- Silver - Visually Impaired German Open (63 kg)
2007:
- Fifth - IBSA World Games (63 kg)