Eight-year-old Johana Harewood-Pope became one of the best judo competitors in her division in the entire country, after winning the 2018 Winter Nationals in December. In April of 2016, Harewood-Pope began practicing judo at a YMCA program in Santa Monica led by one of her coaches, Jim Nieto. Her passion for judo was ignited after learning her father practiced the sport. Soon after, she wanted to follow in his footsteps. Aside from judo, Harewood-Pope also holds a belt in jujitsu as part of her combined judo and jujitsu program.