Matea Jelić wins gold at Olympics

Croatian taekwondo competitor Matea Jelić (23) won the title of Olympic Champion in the category up to 67 kilograms at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, in the final she defeated Lauren Williams of the UK by a score of 25-21.

In the uncertain final, the result at the beginning of the last minute was 13-13, but then Lauren Williams reached an advantage of 17-13 with two kicks to the body. It was 21-15 for Williams until 15 seconds before the end, and then Matea Jelić managed to reach a turning point and a colossal success with three kicks to the head.

It was a duel of the last two European champions in that category, the current Jelić from Sofia in April this year and Williams from Kazan in 2018.

Her gold is still the biggest success for Croatian taekwondo at the Olympic Games. Before her, bronze medals were won by Sandra Šarić and Martina Zubčić in Beijing in 2008, Lucija Zaninović in London in 2012 and Toni Kanaet on Monday in Tokyo.

In her first appearance in Tokyo, Jelić defeated Haitian Lauren Lee 22-2, in the quarterfinals Brazilian Milena Titoneli 30-9, and to secure a medal she was victorious over American Paige McPherson by a score of 15-4.

Jelić is only 23 years old, but she has won numerous medals in major competitions. She is the current European champion, she was also the world junior champion, she won gold at the Mediterranean Games and celebrated at Grand Prix tournaments.

Source: HRT