A few weeks ago in Bratislava, 19-year-old Aitana Díaz Hernández (ESP) climbed to the top of Europe, winning Junior European gold at -48 kg. Add that to her title as 2023 Cadet World Champion and her current status as Junior World No. 1, and you’ve got one of the brightest prospects in Spanish judo.
“I started judo when I was seven. I wanted to do karate because SpongeBob did karate,” she laughs. “My parents saw the same outfit and sent me to judo by mistake. I did the first class and really loved it. My coach told me I had a good future, so we thought, why not?”
In 2023, Aitana surprised herself and the world when she won the Cadet World Championships, and her eyes still sparkle when asked about that gold. “It was the best day of my life at that moment. I thought I could get a medal, not gold. I kept passing rounds, reached the final, started losing… and then made a comeback. When it ended I was jumping and hugging everyone, even the organizers.”
The 2025 Junior European Championships in Bratislava was special for a different reason. “Before the Europeans I had a knee injury. I’d been one month without judo and even a week in the hospital. We didn’t know how I would arrive. I went in just to enjoy. No big expectations, just do my judo.”
The result? European gold and a reminder that mindset matters. “Go without expectations. When you expect things, you add pressure. If you’re happy, you do your best judo.”
The Valencia Judo Club, her home base, is renowned across Europe, but for Aitana, it’s also family. “We have a great environment, that’s so important. You want to go to training because you know you’ll enjoy it. Mornings can be crazy with university and physical training, but afternoons are judo at 7 p.m. It’s a full day, but I’m happy.”
Routine helps keep her grounded, as does the support from her coaches and teammates. Aitana is “structured”—her word. On competition day, the details matter. “I wear the same socks, the same jacket, and I warm up with one song, always the same, and only one. My breakfast and pre-warm-up are the same too.”
As a kid, she looked up to Daria Bilodid (UKR), and today she is lucky enough to have such a great role model right at home. “When I came to Valencia, Julia Figueroa became my role model. She works so hard, and her mentality is different. She has something special.”
Away from the mat, Aitana keeps things balanced with simple joys. After making weight and finishing a competition, she allows herself a well-deserved treat—always something sweet, and most often Reese’s, her favorite guilty pleasure. Day to day, she enjoys listening to music, spending time with family, cooking together, or relaxing over board games. When she’s not on the tatami, you might also find her watching football—she’s a passionate Real Madrid supporter.
The Junior World Championships in Lima are just around the corner, and Aitana is ready. Last year’s Junior Worlds ended with a first-round exit, something she still thinks about, but also a reminder that she has unfinished business on this stage. Winning the title now would be an important milestone, and bring her one step closer to the senior level.
Still, she refuses to put too much pressure on herself. For Aitana, the focus is always on the next competition, not on labels or expectations. She knows that when she competes with joy, her best judo comes naturally. Looking further ahead, her eyes are already on the biggest stage of all: the Olympic Games. With Los Angeles 2028 circling in her mind, Aitana believes she can make it happen and she’s determined to give everything to try.
We had to ask: what does being part of the IPPONGEAR team mean?
“I’m very happy. The judogis are perfect, they feel made for my body. For Europeans, someone said I might have to wear another gi and I said no, please IPPONGEAR. When you’re comfortable, you move better, it’s like the top for me.”
Vamos, Aitana. Your story is just getting started and the IPPONGEAR family is right there with you.
