Her coach, Jane Bridge, herself a world champion, has been working hard in recent months to tailor a bespoke programme to prepare the youngster no only for an Olympic Games but for the future that lies ahead, potentially a very long future.
Jane Bridge commented, “I wasn’t thinking about her being the first Swedish Olympic medallist, not while coming into the competition. I approach it as a fighter does, winning round by round, nothing else. It hit home during the bronze medal match that this was a real possibility. She’d fought Abuzhakynova before and knew what to expect but she was being dominated in the beginning. She found the resources to solve it, as she so often does, which is an immense skill at such a young age.”
It is recognised that 18 is very young to already have such success. How can a long career be managed from such a high beginning?
“It is certainly a lot to manage for a junior of her age, especially as she wants to keep competing in the juniors too. It was a big job to qualify for this Games, to maintain weight and keep changing levels. Really though, we need to help her find her style. This is still a big part of the process and needs to be the focus at this stage.”
Tara Babulfath has made history for her country but she promises a lot more in the future, a future well worth watching.
