It has been a special Olympiad for Barbara MATIC (CRO). Though she achieved much success prior to the Tokyo Olympic Games, she finished in the home of judo with a 5th place. It is a bittersweet feeling, to have reached the final block, be so close to the medal but to go home empty handed. Since then, Matic has made history for Croatia on multiple occasions, has secured major titles many judoka only dare to dream of, but there is still one left.
Should Matic claim gold in the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, she will have completed her collection and of course, entered the history books yet again. It was only in 2012 when the first female competitor qualified to represent Croatia in the Olympic Games, Marijana MISKOVIC earned her place in London and set the ball rolling for the women’s team of Croatia. Now in 2024, judo is better known, boasting a two-time World Champion, and most recently a European Champion at home in Zagreb.
I think, with this being my third Olympic Games, I feel less pressure, certainly less than I felt in Tokyo! I went there as the first world champion, and then a second time after that, but now I have that title I don’t think about it so much and can focus on the Olympics. My body and mind and everything is better than in Tokyo, I have much less stress and can just enjoy this time with preparation.
There are clear signs of athletes maturing throughout their career, experience on their side, and Matic is one of them. She knows she is capable of great things when she is in good shape and her aura is calm. A lot changed in that sense following the Olympic selection, as team mate, World silver medallist Lara CVJETKO was always right behind, chasing her shadow.
Since the beginning of the year, it was still hard because even though I was at the top of the ranking, I had to prove that I deserved to be selected for these Olympic Games. Then after the Croatian Judo Federation made the selection, I felt like the heaviest part of the job was done, now I just have to make sure I am healthy, training well and enjoying it!
Paris is an epicentre for judo, the Grand Slam event one of the most well attended with a super fan base. The level is always high with the esteemed entry, but this July, the level will be ‘Olympic’.
I’ve been in Paris of course, but I’ve even been in the venue where we will compete, where we did the photoshoot with EJU and IJF, so I have the feeling already. Before the World Championships, I was still wondering if I will go or not because I injured my thumb and I was considering the rankings and seedings and things like this. But on that day, to be the best I need to beat the best and whether that’s in the first or last match it doesn’t matter.
I was ranked #1 before the worlds and the same after, so there is nothing more I can do in that regard, now I just want to enjoy the experience. The Olympic Games is big I know, but I don’t stress about it. I am much calmer now, and after Baku when they decided, I went in to Tbilisi completely chill, zen! The physio even asked me if I’m okay! Usually in a tournament I am focused and he can tell if I am in a good mood or not, and I was smiling and laughing and he really kept asking me if I was okay!
Then in the Europeans it was almost the same but then there were a lot of people who came to watch me and I didn’t want to disappoint them, I did it for them. I’m happy that I won it there, but if it’d been held somewhere else, maybe I wouldn’t have even competed!
As Matic stated, this is her third Olympic Games, in Rio she was very young and everything was new, in Tokyo, the situation robbed the athletes of that Olympic feeling, and they were forced to deal with added pressures and worries around positive tests. Now, athletes from around the world in 42 disciplines are excited, ready to enjoy one of the greatest sporting celebrations on earth.
I feel that they [Olympics] are coming but not the big stress this time and I want this feeling to stay as long as possible.
It will also be a special occasion as mum, dad and boyfriend will all be in attendance, with former judoka sister, Brigita, watching from home with a new baby on the way!
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen