Swedish Olympic debutant Tara Babulfath secured Sweden’s first medal in Paris.
The 18-year-old judoka won the bronze medal match against Abiba Abuzhakynova from Kazakhstan.
– I have no words, I am very happy, she says in Max.
18-year-old Tara Babulfath, who is the youngest judoka of all in the Olympics, has secured Sweden’s first medal in Paris.
She won the bronze medal match in the 48-kilogram class against Abiba Abuzhankynova from Kazakhstan after an ippon with 36 seconds left in the match.
– I am very happy, says Babulfath in Max.
– I knew I could win and I saw myself on the podium, she continues.
The Swede managed to recharge after a dramatic semi-final.
There, Babulfath lost to world number four Natsumi Tsunoda of Japan after incurring three cautions.
It is the first Swedish judo medal in an Olympic Games in history.
– It’s absolutely crazy, I’m going to celebrate with my club in Stockholm, all other Swedish judoka and the rest of Sweden. But right now I’m going to celebrate with my family.
Facts: Tara Babulfath
Born: 3 January 2006 (age 18), in Stockholm.
Branch: Judo.
Weight class: 48 kilos.
Club: Stockholm Judo Club.
Merits: WC bronze 2024, U18 WC silver 2022, U18 WC bronze 2023, a victory on the world tour (Baku, 2024)
(TT)