Croatian Barbara Matić new European judo champion
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Barbara Matić (Screenshot/Croatian Judo Federation)
Croatian Barbara Matić has become the European judo champion for the first time after winning the gold medal at the European Judo Championships today in the Zagreb.
The 29-year-old from Split beat Elisavet Teltsidou from Greece in the final of the -70 kg category to claim a historic gold medal.
Matić is a two-time world champion but this is her first European gold after winning the bronze medal four times – 2014, 2017, 2019, 2023.
“I have no words. A wonderful feeling. I said before Zagreb that my goal this year was Paris (Olympics). The day was good, fight by fight, tactically smart. I am really satisfied. Psychologically, the semifinal was harder for me than the final. Before the final, I had already fulfilled my expectations, of the audience, of everyone,” Matić said after the final, before adding.
“In the quarterfinals, I had the always difficult Hilde Jager. One of my toughest opponents, while in the semifinals, I had a lot of pressure. The Greek is extremely strong, but I played tactically very well.”
It has been a great star to 2024 with Matić winning five medals at five Grand Prix and Grand Slam tournaments now.
She won gold in Portugal, Baku, Tbilisi and now Zagreb, and bronze in Paris.
