The parents tried to get her into tennis, for the money.
The genes wanted something else.
Tara Babulfath was born to be a martial artist and now the 18-year-old is aiming for a historic Swedish Olympic medal in judo.
I'm absolutely going for gold.
During the 2005 World Championship in wrestling, Mohammad Babulfath had something else on his mind besides his matches. Back in Stockholm, Ida Hellström, also a successful Swedish wrestler, was waiting for the couple's first child.
In a TT interview during the championship, Mohammad revealed that they had already decided to steer the next generation of Babulfaths away from martial arts:
"Everything points to the new Miss Babulfath slapping the toys aside, already in the cradle. No, no, says the expectant father Mohammad. The little one will focus on a sport with a lot of money.
I'm already checking out different tennis clubs for her, he says with a laugh."
Second Youngest in the Team
Tara Babulfath smiles broadly when she has the quote read out to her in the sun at Sweden Arena in Paris, where the Swedish Olympic athletes have their press conferences.
It's touching, it's nice, says the 18-year-old judoka.
And notes that her parents failed in their goal.
They put me in tennis twice when I was little. They tried to show me sports where you can actually earn some money, you shouldn't have to go around hungry and thirsty all the time, says Tara Babulfath.
But my heart belongs to judo.
And how is it with money in judo?
Haha. I live at home.
She is the second youngest in the Swedish Olympic team – only skateboarder Hampus Winberg is a few months younger – but is aiming high in Paris.
In May, she wrote Swedish sports history when she became the youngest Swedish judoka to win a World Championship medal, a bronze. She also became the second Swedish woman to win a medal at the World Championship, 38 years after Elisabeth Karlsson's silver in 1986.
Wants to Challenge the "Ladies"
In the Olympics, she's aiming even higher. Sweden has never won an Olympic medal in judo. Tara Babulfath wants to be the first.
It would be really cool. I'm absolutely going for it.
How come?
I don't compete to lose. Bring it on, let the ladies show what they've got.
Mom Ida never made it to the Olympics but won several World Championship and European Championship medals. Dad Mohammad competed for Sweden in the 2004 Olympics. Now the parents provide the most important support in their daughter's athletic endeavors – despite it not being wrestling or tennis.
They're incredibly proud of me. And I'm so proud of my parents, they've done everything for me.
Tara Babulfath's Olympic class, 48 kg, will be decided on Saturday.
Born: January 3, 2006 (18 years old), in Stockholm.
Sport: Judo.
Weight class: 48 kg.
Club: Stockholm Judo Club.
Achievements: World Championship bronze 2024, U18 World Championship silver 2022, U18 World Championship bronze 2023, one victory on the world tour (Baku, 2024).
