Tara Babulfath is one victory away from writing Swedish sports history.
The 18-year-old is clear for the semifinal in Paris and close to becoming the first blue-yellow judoka to take an Olympic medal.
I'll do my all and I want to win gold, says Babulfath.
Three straight wins, three straight ippons for 18-year-old Olympic debutant Tara Babulfath in Paris.
In the quarterfinals, she defeated Italian world number one Assunta Scutto, who left the scene devastated with her coach's arms around her shoulders.
When Babulfath entered the mixed zone for interviews, she was bandaged with an ice pack on her head. However, she didn't seem particularly affected.
If Babulfath wins this afternoon's semifinal against Japanese world number four Natsumi Tsunoda, it would be a piece of Olympic history. Despite many and great hopes among blue-yellow judokas over the years, Sweden has never taken an Olympic medal in the sport.
I have a game plan, says Babulfath to Radiosporten.
"Want to win gold"
The Swedish judoka got a brilliant start at the Arena Champ de Mars in front of the Eiffel Tower. Against world number one Lee Hye-Kyeong, it was a win on ippon, full points 10–0, after the Korean gave up and clapped herself free barely three minutes into the match.
It feels great. A good start to the tournament, said the 18-year-old after the premiere win.
How far will this take her?
I'll do my all and I want to win gold.
In the round of 16, she showed that it wasn't just talk. Khalimajon Kurbonova, Uzbekistan, ranked 27th in the world, was also defeated on ippon, and afterwards, a focused Tara Babulfath had no time to stop for interviews.
World Championship bronze in the spring
In the quarterfinals, world number one Scutto awaited, who defeated Babulfath in the World Championship semifinals in Abu Dhabi in the spring. That time, it eventually became a bronze for Babulfath, who thereby became the second Swedish woman to take a medal at the World Judo Championship.
The final round begins at 4 pm.
Born: January 3, 2006 (18 years old), in Stockholm.
Sport: Judo.
Weight class: 48 kg.
Club: Stockholm Judo Club.
Merits: World Championship bronze 2024, U18 World Championship silver 2022, U18 World Championship bronze 2023, one victory on the World Tour (Baku, 2024).
