Laurie Pace is a former Maltese judoka whose name is synonymous with the sport in Malta. She represented her country in three consecutive Olympic Games, Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, and Sydney 2000, making her one of Malta’s most prominent Olympians. Her most celebrated achievement came in 1990, when she won Malta’s first-ever medal at the Commonwealth Games, earning a bronze in judo in New Zealand. Beyond her achievements on the mat, Laurie was honored with the “Best Woman in Sport” award by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Despite her many successes, her career also included moments of disappointment, notably at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where she lost her opening match and was eliminated early. Known for her resilience, Laurie often speaks candidly about the challenges of elite sport, stating that “judo is not for the faint-hearted.”