31 July 2024

MATIC PUTS CROATIAN JUDO IN TO OLYMPIC HISTORY BOOKS

Olympic Games Judo 2024

MATIC PUTS CROATIAN JUDO IN TO OLYMPIC HISTORY BOOKS

It has been the perfect cycle for Barbara MATIC of Croatia who has become the double World Champion and European Champion in the lead up to these Paris Olympic Games 2024.

From the first time she stepped on the tatami, she appeared cool but this was potentially her biggest obstacle as she explained at the end of the day,

In my first round, I faced an old friend [Kim POLLING] who has a good record against me, but I knew if I could get past this one, I would feel much better.

Well, she did. Defeating Ai TSUNODA ROUSTANT (ESP) and Sanne VAN DIJKE (NED) before reaching the final, she looking completely in control and didn’t cede a single score throughout the day, only picking up one shido in the final.

What a final this was, meeting Miriam BUTKEREIT (GER) was somewhat of a surprise for the judo fans, knowing there was a minor injury setting the German athlete back this year, however she steamed through to the final in great fashion. Then it looked to be over very quickly, understandably Matic wanted a swift end, as Butkereit had bested her in Paris earlier this year.

The winning osae komi score from Barbara MATIC (CRO) © Thea Cowen

Securing the osae komi in the first 30 seconds of the contest, the crowd was in uproar, but after holding Butkereit for 18 seconds, she managed to escape. Still, a waza ari was by the name of Matic. The rest of the contest was difficult, Butkereit was desperately trying to level the score, however the Croatian superstar had an answer for everything, both her offence and defence was unmatched today, and she couldn’t have been more deserving of the 2024 -70kg Olympic title.

I still cant believe what I did, I think tomorrow I will feel it but right now I don’t know. My friends and family are here, they are proud of me, they were already texting me that they were proud of my place in the final and now this! It is the first ever Croatian medal in judo, and the first gold medal for Croatia in this Olympic Games.

Paris 2024 -70kg Podium © Gabi Juan

Judoka

Author: Thea Cowen