ROPER Miryam

General
REPRESENTING PANAMA
She began representing Panama in 2017, having previously represented Germany, including at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. She is able to represent Panama through her father, and decided to make the switch after being dropped from the German national team. "I went out shopping when I received a phone call and I was told that due to an internal reform I would no longer be in the national team. I also wanted to represent Panama since a long time but there was a conflict within the national federation. I then reached the president and told her I wanted to compete for Panama. I am very happy to represent my family from there. This is also my family. I love both [countries]." (SportsDeskOnline, 21 Aug 2020; tokyo2020.org, 21 Aug 2020; sportschau.de, 27 Jul 2020; panamaamerica.com.pa, 18 Jun 2020; laestrella.com.pa, 01 Aug 2018)

TECHNIQUE AND AMBITION
She made some changes to her judo technique at the start of 2016. "My opponents knew what to expect and I had to consider new tactics and learn other throwing techniques. I am now more flexible and mobile and my ground combat is greatly improved. I am among the oldest in the world rankings, but I see it as an advantage. If I had my way, I would aim for the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games." (wdr.de, 29 Apr 2016)

EARLY DAYS
Before settling on a career as an athlete, she studied business and worked as a copywriter in an advertising agency before opting for a career in the German army as a sports soldier. (wdr.de, 29 Apr 2016)