Golden Brigita Matic follows up sis Barbara

Croatian Brigita Matic is the second in the family to capture the World Junior title. In Abu Dhabi she stepped into the light of her sister Barbara with another great milestone in her career. Brigita Matic won the Youth Olympics in 2014. She won World Cadet and Junior bronze as well as with the Croatian team, in 2013 and gold in 2015. Matic won the European Cadet title in 2012 and EYOF in 2011 and silver in 2013. European Junior bronze in 2012 and 2015.

Croatian Brigita Matic was one of the favourites in the U78kg category and duly delivered for Croatia who got off the mark on the last day of the individual competition. Matic defeated Bratislava Senior European Cup winner Klara Apotekar of Slovenia in the U78kg final. The Croatian youngster took the lead with a yuko from a drop ippon seoi-nage and then set about protecting that advantage. Matic was penalised for an overly defensive posture but was rarely threatened as she clinched the latest accolade of her thriving career. 

In the first semi-final Matic defeated Belgrade European Cup silver medallist Julie Hoelterhoff (GER) by wazari-awasette-ippon. After throwing for a waza-ari to open the scoring the Croatian talent followed up with a kesa-gatame hold for 15 seconds and a place in the final. In the second semi-final Apotekar outmanoeuvred senior German Championships bronze medallist Anna Maria Wagner (GER) to claim their nervy contest on shido penalties. Apotekar was penalised once for a gripping infringement while Wagner was penalised twice and was sent into the repechage.

The first bronze medal was won by Wagner who saw off former EYOF winner Kamila Pasternak (POL) by a yuko and waza-ari while the second bronze medal was also destined for Judo Bund as Hoelterhoff defeated former Junior European Championships winner Anastasiya Turchyn (UKR). Hoelterhoff was successful by a waza-ari score as her teammates in the stands celebrated a U78kg double for Germany.