Olympics 2024: Barbara Matić wins Croatia’s first gold medal

Barbara Matić

31 July 2024 – Barbara Matić has won Croatia’s first gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on Wednesday.

Matić beat Germany’s Miriam Butkereit in the Women’s 70kg Judo final to claim an historic gold medal. The medal was Croatia’s first in Judo ever at the Olympics.  

This was Croatia’s second medal at the Olympic Games after shooter Miran Maričić has won the bronze medal in the 10m Air Rifle final. 

The 29-year-old from Split, who was ranked no.1 in the world going into the Games, was flawless throughout the competition today.

First she beat Italy’s Kim Polling 10-0, before finishing Al Tsunoda Roustant from Spain by the same score.

Matić put on a clinical display in the semi-final, beating Sanne van Dijke from the Netherlands 10-0.

Matić is a two-time world champion, and earlier this year she won the European title for the first time after winning the bronze medal four times – 2014, 2017, 2019, 2023.

It has been a year to remember for the Croatian. She won Grand Prix and Grand Slam tournaments in Portugal, Baku, Tbilisi and Zagreb, and now has an Olympic gold medal.