Clarisse Vallim Wins Gold at Youth Olympic Games, Extends International Title Collection

Flamengo's judo programme has another reason to celebrate. Clarisse Vallim is champion of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. On Tuesday, November 3, the Rubro-Negro competitor claimed gold in the 78kg category and wrote another special chapter in her sporting journey.

At 16 years old, Vallim confirms her place among the brightest prospects of the next generation of world judo. The Olympic title crowns an extraordinary campaign in which the athlete also secured back-to-back cadet world championships. In August, she won gold at the World Championship in Guayaquil, Ecuador, repeating the feat achieved in 2025 in Sofia, Bulgaria—both in the 70kg category.

Her winning path through international competition also includes gold at the 2026 Panama Youth South American Games and this year's Pan-American Cadet Championship.

Brazil's sole female judoka selected for the Youth Olympic Games, Vallim was among 197 competitors across all nations. The Dakar edition also made history by becoming the first Olympic sporting competition held on the African continent.

The young champion's connection to judo began early, at four years old, inspired by her father and grandfather, both practitioners of the sport. She took her first steps in the Samurais do Morro social project in Rio de Janeiro's North Zone and now represents Flamengo, where she continues to build a career of major achievements.

At just 16 years old, Clarisse is already a two-time cadet world champion and Youth Olympic champion.