Aline Silva was born and raised in Brazil and at a young age found herself hanging out with the wrong crowd. Afraid of what might happen to her daughter, Aline’s mother transferred her daughter to a new school, where she discovered judo and wrestling. Finding a positive outlet through sports, Aline transformed herself into a promising Olympic hopeful. In 2006, she won her first gold medal at Brazil’s national junior championships, and in 2016 qualified for the Rio Olympics, where she finished ninth in the women’s 75kg category.

While she was experiencing her own transformation, Aline’s eyes opened to the millions of Brazilian girls affected by poverty, domestic violence, pay inequality and societal stereotypes. As someone who personally knows the powerful role sport can play in changing the course and expectation of women’s lives, she felt called to act. In 2018 Aline launched Mempodera, a girls-only wrestling program, where she provides wrestling instruction and empowerment training in leadership, personal development, and sexual and reproductive rights. Because of her efforts, Aline received the 2018 Women in Sport award from United World Wrestling. In the summer of 2021, she competed for the Brazilian national wrestling team in her final Olympic Games.