Paris 2024 judo: All results, as Croatia's two-time world champion Barbara Matic wins women's -70kg gold

"Barbie has a great day every day," especially when she becomes Olympic champion.

And it was indeed a memorable day in 'Barbie land' on 31 July in the Champ de Mars Arena, as Croatia's two-time world champion Barbara 'Barbi' Matic claimed gold in the women's -70kg category at the Olympic Games Paris 2024

She also etched her name into history by securing Croatia's first Olympic judo gold medal. It seems like Croatia chose the right flagbearer this year.

A fifth-place finish at Tokyo 2020 motivated Matic to come back stronger, and she was more driven than ever to claim gold. The world No. 1 overcame Germany's Miriam Butkereit to claim her long-awaited Olympic title.

Following the intense final, the Olympic champion highlighted the camaraderie that permeates the judo community. "We have good relationships when we are not on the mat. When we are on the mat, we are rivals, then we shake hands and hug and kiss each other and say congrats," she said.

This duality - intense rivalry during competition followed by heartfelt camaraderie - captures the essence of judo as more than just a sport.

Austria's Michaela Polleres and Belgium's Gabriella Willems rounded out the all-European podium, both of whom underscored the judo community's supportive nature.

"We need each other to get better, and for training. Off the mat and in training, we are still friends. We have a good time," said Polleres, now a two-time Olympic medallist.

Willems, making a remarkable comeback after missing the last Olympics due to injury, shared a similar view. "That's the beauty of judo. There are so many values that are intrinsic to judo. There is a huge amount of respect towards our rivals. Whether it's the beginning or after, we are friends," she said.

Judo: Women's -70kg podium

Gold: Barbara Matic, Croatia

Silver: Miriam Butkereit, Germany

Bronze: Michaela Polleres, Austria

Bronze: Gabriella Willems, Belgium

See all the results on Olympics.com