US judo star looks to make Olympic history after abuse by childhood coach In London, thousands of athletes from around the world will hope to turn a lifetime of rigorous training and sacrifice into the ultimate triumph. But perhaps no athlete has endured a more tumultuous journey than U.S. judo star Kayla Harrison. The 22-year-old Ohio native was sexually abused for years by her childhood coach, Daniel Doyle, who is now serving a 10-year prison sentence after Harrison testified against him in 2007. Name: Kayla Harrison Sport: Judo Event: 78kg (172 lb) Age: 22 Hometown: Middletown, Ohio Career highlights: 2010 World Judo Champion Top-ranked American woman at 78kg Two-time national junior champion Gold medal at 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials (78kg) In the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal at Penn State last year, Harrison decided she needed to go public with her story. "I was almost disheartened by my country, to hear that kids at Penn State were protesting for (Joe Paterno) but not for the victims," she told Fox Sports. What kind of world do I live in? Are students really doing that? When that happened, when the victim was that far away (from people's minds), I was in shock. Harrison grew up in Middletown, Ohio, and was mentored in judo by Doyle, who formed a close bond with the family, going on vacations and accompanying Harrison to international tournaments. Harrison recalled that the abuse started at around age 11. After Doyle pleaded guilty at trial, Harrison left Ohio, journeying to Wakefield, Massachusetts, to train with Jimmy Pedro Jr., an Olympic bronze medalist in 1996 and 2004. The Pedros saved my life and they changed my life. I don't even want to think about what would have happened to me if I had stayed (in Ohio). Kayla Harrison Though she nearly quit the sport entirely and admits to having suicidal thoughts at times, Harrison credits Pedro for keeping her on the path to Olympic glory. He insisted she gain more than 30 pounds to compete in the 78kg (172 lb) weight class. There were times where I hated judo. I hated my mom. I hated everyone. I wanted to run away to New York and just start over," Harrison told the Los Angeles Times. Harrison is now on the cusp of making history. No American has ever won a gold medal in judo, but she is hoping to do just that in London after becoming the first American woman in 26 years to win a world judo title two years ago. In 2008, Harrison won her division at the Olympic Trials, but did not compete in Beijing because the U.S. had not qualified at 78kg. " (Winning gold in London) would be an achievement of a lifetime," said Pedro, who along with his father has worked for years in hopes of bringing the U.S. its first Olympic judo title.