Self-Described “Non-Athlete” Liana Mutia Wins Para Judo Silver

PARIS — If anyone asks how Liana Mutia feels about being the world’s No. 1 ranked women’s -57 kg. J1 Para judo athlete, she would tell you the same thing.

“I’m not an athlete.”

Yet, her results on the tatami inside Champ de Mars Arena tell a different story. On a rainy Thursday in Paris, Mutia battled her way into the gold-medal match, and will be leaving her second Paralympic Games with a silver medal. The achievement marked the first time in U.S. history that a woman has medaled in the -57 kg. J1 class at a Paralympic Games.

“I’m content,” the softspoken software analyst said about her performance today. “I think I keep mentioning this. But, I’m not really an athlete. I’m just a software the consultant. I really just came here to have fun. But, if there is one thing I’m good at, it’s being a smart fighter.”

Three years ago in Tokyo, Mutia did not get past the first round.

Although Mutia is one of the smallest judoka athletes in her group, she outworks her opponents on paper. In a May interview with Team USA, Mutia mentioned she takes notes in a massive spreadsheet that details everything from her opponents’ moves to what country they represent. She calls her motus operandi, “test-driven development.”

“It worked out pretty well (this time) all the way until the gold-medal match,” Mutia said of her system. “So, I think that’s like, what, a 66% success rate? That’s pretty alright. I’ll take that.”

Like the codes she runs at work, Mutia’s tournament ran smoothly. That was until she encountered a surprise bug in the opening moments of the gold-medal match. Her opponent, Yijie Shi of China, initiated an attack just four seconds into the match. The unexpected surge of power from Shi put Mutia on the tatami to score an early waza-ari – a controlled throw of your opponent, but not with the force that guarantees an outright win (ippon) – allowing Shi to be in control for the majority of the bout.

“Oh my gosh, absolutely,” Mutia playfully admitted when asked if Shi’s early attack threw her off.

Although Mutia tried to counter several times, it appeared Shi’s strength outpaced Mutia’s technicality this time around. After the bout, Mutia congratulated her opponent with an enormous hug, illustrating the jovial personality she carries off the tatami and into her everyday life.

“We don’t even speak the same language,” Mutia exclaimed when asked if Shi was one of her good friends. “But, I have no enemies. I don’t really have any animosity towards anyone I fight. It’s just a job.”

Judo may not be big in the United States right now. However, Paris loves the sport. Over 12,000 people have filled into Champ de Mars arena ever since the round of 16. At the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, Olympians Angelica Delgado and Maria LaBorde said they were excited to compete in Paris for that reason. Mutia agreed.

“The crowd definitely pumps you up a little bit here,” Mutia commented.

While she may not believe it, Mutia is an athlete. And now she has the hardware to prove it.

Brendan Rourke is a digital media assistant for the USOPC. Previously, he spent three season writing for the NBA's Indiana Pacers.