This week in Croatia, judo has become the center of attention, not only in normal judo circles, but in the wider sports arena, courtesy of Barbara Matic and Karla Prodan.
The Croatian Olympic Committee named Prodan its ‘Female Athlete of the Year’ of all sports, citing her 2020 senior European bronze medal and European U23 silver as impressive individual achievements. Prodan is becoming a strong contender in all events, with two World Judo Tour medals now secured, following steady progress through the cadet and junior ranks.
Three-time European medalist and double junior world champion Barbara Matic has also been recognized, by the popular sports daily Sportske Novosti, also as ‘Athlete of the Year’.
This is an incredible accolade, decided by hundreds of sports journalists, those knowledgeable and seasoned writers who follow world sport throughout their careers.
The Sportske Novosti Trophy has a special meaning and status in the home of every Croatian sports fan. During 2020, a sports program on Croatian national television (HTV) focused on judo and Miss Matic in particular and this has helped to highlight not only the athlete, but also the many positive aspects of life in judo.
This is the first time in the 69 years since publication that a martial arts competitor has been named athlete of the year. Barbara, originally from Split, has won 15 medals on the World Judo Tour and continues to deliver outstanding performances such as her magnificent -70kg day at the 2020 Hungarian Grand Slam, where she won against 3 current world medalists.
Both Matic and Prodan will compete at the IJF World Masters in Doha in January 2021.
