This previous weekend, Podgorica was a vibrant hub of a judo competitors, bringing collectively athletes of all ranges. Amongst them was Tokyo 2020 Olympian, Julia Kowalczyk (POL), who returned to the mat after a difficult interval each on and off the tatami. Kowalczyk, who has had a tumultuous journey for the reason that Tokyo Olympics, marked her comeback with a gold medal efficiency on the European Cup in Montenegro, a victory that symbolised far more than simply profitable a event.
Within the aftermath of her Olympic run, Kowalczyk struggled not solely with outcomes however with a dwindling love for the game she as soon as passionately pursued. After a sequence of defeats, the toll on her psychological well being led her to query her place in judo. However now, after months of reflection and restoration, she shared her journey of rediscovery with newfound readability.
“After the Tokyo Olympics, let’s be trustworthy, I used to be not doing good, it was fairly dangerous,” she admitted. “I began…[she pauses]… I misplaced perception in myself and confidence. In Might this yr, I made a decision to take a break from judo to handle myself. Immediately, I realised I ought to have taken that break earlier. I used to be pushing however mentally, I wasn’t there. I wanted to take a break and consider what I nonetheless needed to do with judo.”
This second of self-assessment was pivotal for Kowalczyk who realized the burden of expectations had drained her of her pleasure within the sport. The break allowed her to reconnect together with her ardour and Podgorica grew to become the backdrop for her reemergence.
“I’m actually joyful to be again. I needed to return right here as a result of I’m taking the remainder of the yr very sluggish to be prepared for subsequent yr. It’s all about taking child steps in the intervening time,” – Kowalczyk defined. “I have to rebuild my confidence. I used to be very nervous and located myself combating with stress however in addition to that, I actually loved competing in Podgorica. It’s good to be again and, really, lastly having fun with judo.”
The trail to rediscovery wasn’t straightforward. Kowalczyk opened up concerning the moments when she felt utterly disconnected from her love for the game. “There have been instances when my love for judo was utterly killed, as I needed to attain issues so badly, and it wasn’t going properly. It received to the purpose once I went to the Grand Slams, and I used to be dreading the considered shedding once more,” – she revealed. “I’m very pushed and cussed and I ought to have taken that break manner earlier than I really did. After I got here off the mat in Kazakhstan, which was my final occasion earlier than taking a break, I cried…not as a result of I misplaced, however as a result of I used to be relieved it was throughout.”
For Kowalczyk, the gold medal in Podgorica represented greater than only a high podium end. It marked a private victory, an affirmation that she may rekindle her relationship with judo on her personal phrases. “A gold medal is at all times good however in Podgorica, I’ve larger victories I received: being again, rekindling with judo, discovering myself, and having fun with the game once more. I’m hungry once more. I discovered the Julia from earlier than Tokyo and that makes me very joyful.”
Trying forward, Kowalczyk is pacing herself cautiously, with plans to proceed taking small steps as she rebuilds her confidence and kind. She intends to compete on the European Open in Rome and take part in native occasions as she prepares to tackle the world stage as soon as once more subsequent yr.
Writer: Szandra Szogedi
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