The Matić household are justifiably happy with their love for judo. Each Brigita and Barbara have been practising this mild lifestyle since they had been younger. They’ve shared so many pleased recollections collectively, together with bringing dwelling a medal every from the juniors worlds again in 2013. Since then, Brigita has retired however has remained her sister’s greatest cheerleader within the background. Having a report of her personal, Brigita has skilled plenty of feelings over the previous few years, together with the troublesome resolution of disengaging from the elite degree. The final two weeks have been notably intense for her.
I gave beginning to my child woman on 16 July, 15 days earlier than Barbara’s competitors day on the Olympics. Each girl is aware of how arduous postpartum is and the way your hormones run wild, so you may think about how a lot I cried watching her, particularly when she gained the semi-final.
To prime all of it off, our mother and father and Barbara’s boyfriend had been in Paris to look at her reside and I used to be so unhappy that I needed to watch it by the TV. The entire yr, speaking and excited about that day made me cry, I used to be extra nervous on the day of Barbara’s battle than when my child was born [she laughs]. It was all the time tougher to look at her than it was to battle or do issues for myself. I all the time wished extra for her.
After I give up judo, it made me much more emotional to look at Barbara battle, as a result of after I was along with her at competitions, I knew that my presence helped her as a lot as hers helped me after I was combating. However I all the time attempt to assist her by sending her messages, telling her what I feel she wants to listen to earlier than the competitors.
Out of your perspective, what was the distinction in Barbara between Tokyo and Paris?
Perhaps she didn’t consider in herself that a lot in Tokyo, although she had gained her first world title a couple of months earlier than Tokyo. However now in Paris she was unstoppable, I advised her it regarded like the simplest event she had in a very long time. She was so dominant and it couldn’t have ended every other means.
Nonetheless, the unique plan was to do that collectively in the future proper?
That’s true. After I determined to give up judo as a result of I couldn’t get again to the extent I used to be at earlier than the beginning of my first little one, I used to be unhappy for a very long time. We had all the time dreamed of successful the Olympics collectively and after I give up, I felt I had let her down. So this gold medal made my unhappiness go away, my coronary heart crammed with pleasure and pleasure, my eyes filled with tears for days now as a result of she did it.
Her successful an Olympic gold medal made our childhood goals come true and she or he made me the happiest and proudest sister on the earth. I’ve all the time admired her and adopted in her footsteps and I’m so pleased that my kids could have somebody like her to look as much as and be a job mannequin for.
Barbara Matić is Croatia’s most profitable judoka, recognized for her technical prowess and uplifting aggressive spirit. Her achievements have contributed considerably to the recognition of judo in Croatia and impressed many younger athletes within the area however most significantly her sister and shut relations. Hvala, Barbara!
Photos: Gabi Juan / Croatian Judo Federation / Serbian Judo Federation / Brigita Matić
Creator: Szandra Szogedi
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