In the past we have been used to talking about the Ukrainian female legend, Daria BILODID, but this week all eyes are on a new superpower, Yelyzaveta LYTVYNENKO. At only 18 years-old, she snatched the senior world bronze medal, devastating the current Olympic champion HAMADA Shori (JPN) in less than thirty seconds and silencing the Huma Arena.
I tried not to think about the fact she was Olympic champion. I just wanted to focus on my personal skills, to show the world that I have what it takes to be the next one. It is so cool, it felt amazing to throw with this. I am full of emotions and it was beautiful for me.
The youngster may have some parallels with Bilodid, but the energy is much different. She is not erratic or overly aggressive in her approach, her gripping style is calm, strong and focussed, her impossibly collected aura is intimidating.
Only last year she became the cadet European champion and this year added an EYOF and junior European title to her collection, but today, she was just as mature in her approach and took each contest as it came, storming through the -78kg category. She defeated the likes of Loriana KUKA (KOS) one of the strongest in this category and she only lost out to the eventual silver medallist, China’s MA Zhenzhao in the semi final.
I had high expectations for myself, I came here to take a medal and to be sure of myself, to prove that all the hard work will pay off and I can manage to take home a medal. For me, being able to take gold in cadet and junior europeans, and EYOF in two years is really cool but now I don’t want to stop or lose momentum, I just want to get better and better.
I train very hard, my coaches help me and push me to the limits which is why I can perform and be successful.
She didn’t appear to have too many limitation today in her senior world championships debut and given the level of her performance, we are sure that future success is inevitable.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen