OLYMPICS: Tina Trstenjak wins gold in women's 63kg category
Rio de Janeiro, 9 August - Slovenian judoka Tina Trstenjak won the gold medal in women's 63kg category at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday by defeating Clarissa Agbegnenou of France in the finals.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Slovenian judoka Tina Trstenjak
Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA
Trstenjak confirmed the expectations as Slovenia's main favourite for an Olympic medal and gave Slovenia its first medal in Rio and 20th overall medal at the seven Summer Olympics it participated in as independent nation.
Bronze medals meanwhile went to Anicka Van Emden of the Netherlands and Yarden Gerbi of Israel.
In the expected final match-up, the 25-year-old Slovenian faced the 2014 world champion, who was one of the rare competitors who gave problems to Trstenjak in the past.
Trstenjak was very aggressive right out of the gate, and managed to bring Agbegnenou to the floor in the second minute and hold her until taking the winning point. It was actually the fastest win for Trstenjak in Rio.
On the way to the finals, the Slovenian had to defeat Pan American champion Mariana Silva of Brazil, who was cheered by the home crowd in the packed Carioce 2 Arena in the Rio Olympic Park.
The new Olympic champion Trstenjak is also the reigning European and world champion in the 63kg category.