Barbara Matic Claims Gold in Women's -70 kg Judo Final at Paris 2024

In an exhilarating showdown at the 2024 Olympic Games held at the Champ-de-Mars Arena, Barbara Matic of Croatia triumphed in the Women's -70 kg Judo Final. The match took place on July 31, 2024, and showcased Matic's superior skills and strategic prowess against Germany's Miriam Butkereit.

Matic, who entered the final with a world ranking of 1 and a notable victory at the World Judo Championships in Hungary in 2021, demonstrated why she was the favorite. The match began with Matic quickly asserting her dominance, earning a Waza-ari point just 33 seconds into the contest with a perfectly executed Ura-gatame technique.

Butkereit, ranked 8th globally and fresh off a first-place finish at the Paris Grand Slam in 2024, fought valiantly but struggled to gain ground against Matic's relentless offense. Despite her best efforts, Butkereit could not score any points throughout the match, ultimately leading to a final score of 1-0 in favor of Matic after four intense minutes of combat.

The match was officiated by Australian referee Lubomir Petr and was watched by an enthusiastic crowd at the iconic Champ-de-Mars Arena. Matic's victory not only adds to her impressive accolades but also marks a significant milestone for Croatian Judo on the Olympic stage. As the competition concluded, Matic celebrated her hard-fought gold medal, a testament to her dedication and skill in the sport of judo.