Since the Games, Barbara has evaded the call of the World Judo Tour, only fighting in Bundesliga matches but she is adamant that retirement is not yet her calling. She is now married and there is a name change: Barbara Ðinović. In Zagreb, she is of course present but this time there is no judogi!
“I miss fighting here! I like to compete in Zagreb. Everyone is here, my friends, my family. There are always a lot of children here too, supporting us. Today the sport hall will be full and I love to see that. I hope I will maybe enjoy the energy today in the same way I do when I am fighting but I definitely miss it.
I am still not retired. I believe I could go again for LA28 but we also have Lara and that makes it more complicated and more difficult. It changes how the qualification would work for me. Since Paris, I have only fought in the Bundesliga. I’m really carrying mixed emotions. Sometimes I’m relieved not to be fighting and then in the next moment I’m sad to not be with the girls, competing at home.”
For this edition of the Zagreb Grand Prix, the cheers will be for Lara, Katarina and the rest of the team and Barbara will be cheering for them, perhaps the loudest voice of all.