Thank you for so much, Telma Monteiro!

Sport Lisboa e Benfica praises the enormous dedication and competitive spirit of Telma Monteiro in a long and fruitful career that has raised the prestige of Portuguese judo. With her club since July 2007, she has made a decisive contribution to the growth and development of the sport at Benfica.

Considered to be the best Portuguese judoka of all time, she won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, having also taken part in the 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2020 Olympics. She has four silver medals and one bronze medal to her name in World Championships

With resilience, a unique Telma Monteiro achieved high and consistent international respect - she even topped the world rankings in 2015 in the -57 kg category - and was the judoka with the most medals in the history of the European Championships, a competition she won six times, came second in two editions and third in seven.

She remained in the limelight for years on end, regularly climbing the podium - over a career spanning 24 years, 94 medals have been won, from the youth ranks to the present day - and thus ensuring prestige for Portugal in World Cups, European Cups, Grand Prix, Grand Slam and other competitions among the world's judo elite.

Her contribution as an athlete to SL Benfica's success in the sport was also vital, as evidenced by her team wins in five National Club Championships and one Portuguese Cup.

Thank you for so much, Telma!

The long journey with the top-class judoka comes to an end, but the journey of mystique and commitment will continue with Telma Monteiro, who is now taking on a new professional challenge as judo coordinator at the Club, to develop and inspire new generations.

E Pluribus Unum