Croatian Ana-Viktorija Puljiz narrowly misses out on Paris Games

Croatian judoka Ana-Viktorija Puljiz has narrowly missed the chance to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In a twist of fate, her countryman Zlatko Kumric secured the sole continental quota spot for Croatia, leaving Puljiz just shy of her Olympic dream.

Puljiz, a talented judoka from Split, has shown tremendous promise in her career. Despite her impressive accomplishments, the Olympic berth went to Kumric, who, if he had won just one more contest, would have qualified directly, potentially allowing Puljiz to claim the continental quota. This turn of events highlights the fine margins in judo, where every contest can significantly impact qualification chances.

Puljiz's career is marked by numerous achievements. She was a bronze medallist in the -44kg category at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games and later claimed bronze at the 2022 European Championships in the -52kg class. She has also been a two-time Grand Slam medallist in 2024, winning silver in Tbilisi and bronze in Antalya. Her gold medal at the 2021 U23 European Championships further solidified her reputation as a rising star in judo.

Background

Starting judo at the age of six, Puljiz trained at Judo Club Solin under the guidance of coach Dragan Crnov. Her dedication to the sport has been unwavering, balancing her athletic career with her studies in law. Puljiz is known for her disciplined approach and strong faith, attributing her success and resilience to her belief in Jesus and the support of her family and coach Dragan Crnov who is unlucky with two athletes including Lara Cvjetko U70kg.

While missing out on Paris 2024 is undoubtedly disappointing, Puljiz remains focused on the future. With her sights set on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, she is determined to achieve her Olympic dream in the future.

Puljiz hails from a supportive family in Solin. Her father, Mijo, and mother, Snjezana, have been key figures in her journey, along with her younger brothers, Stjepan and Daniel. Outside of judo, Puljiz enjoys crocheting, spending time with friends, watching crime series and movies, and learning Spanish. She is active on social media, sharing her journey and connecting with fans.

Despite the setback, the experience gained from this Olympic cycle will undoubtedly fuel her drive to succeed in future competitions, with the goal of representing Croatia at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.