German extra-lightweight judoka Anna-Maria Gradante won the bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the only judo medal Germany won at those Games. In 1994 and 1997, she won the silver medal at the European Championships. At International German Championships Gradante added a gold medal in 1997, two silvers in 1993 and 1995, and bronze medals in 1994, 1996, and 1999. In 1995, she also won the bronze medal at the World Championships. Gradante was awarded the Silver Bay Leaf, Germany’s highest sports award.
Gradante never won a national title but had five podium finishes. Her father was born in Sicilia and her mother was German. By profession, she became a midwife at Gummersbach.
Germany