Tara Babulfath official member of team adidas Judo
Tara Babulfath, continues to make history. After winning Sweden’s first ever Olympic medal in Judo during this summer’s games in Paris, she has now been awarded the Little Gold Medal and recently became a member of Team adidas Judo.
The Little Gold Medal is Svenska Dagbladet’s sports scholarship that is awarded each year to a young and promising athlete. In addition to the honor, the award also includes a scholarship of 100,000 kronor to support their efforts towards the world’s top. Tara already has clear goals for how the money will be used:
— The money will go to my efforts so that I win Olympic gold in four years, she tells the magazine Svenska Dagbladet.
Tara made history in Paris and has become a role model both inside and outside of judo with her success and determination. Her journey now continues towards new successes, with her sights set on future championships.
Olympic bronze and dreams of the future
She won an Olympic bronze medal at a young age and became Europe’s youngest female Olympic medalist, as well as Scandinavia’s first Olympic medalist in judo. But for judoka Tara Babulfath, it was just the beginning. In an exclusive interview with Kampsportnews, she shares her experiences, challenges and dreams – both on and off the judo mat. With a career built on hard training and strong support from those close to her, she aims for new goals and inspires young women to dare to dream big.
Winning an Olympic medal is an achievement in itself, but for Tara, who at a young age won an Olympic bronze in Paris this year, age doesn’t matter.
– A medal is always a medal, no matter when it comes, she says firmly.
For Tara, the medal is confirmation that she is on the right track and a source of security for the future.
The road to success
However, the road to success has not been without challenges. With tough qualifying competitions, pressure and uncertainty about the Olympic spot, both mental and physical strength were required.
– My father, who plans my training, has been a great source of security, says Tara.
With discipline and hard training, she has managed to stay calm and focused on doing her best.
Studies and justice – a life outside the judo mat
Despite judo’s intensive schedule, Tara balances her studies in economics and law at a sports school. Her passion for justice and equality, especially for women’s rights, shines through in both her life as an athlete and a student.
– I want to create an equal society where everyone has rights, she explains.
Intermediate goals over pressure – a relaxed approach to success
When it comes to the future, the goals are many, but Tara is careful to set realistic intermediate goals.
– Winning is always the goal, but if I only focus on winning, what happens once I’ve won, she asks rhetorically. With small intermediate goals and a who cares attitude towards pressure, she wants to keep the joy alive in the sport.
The family’s strong martial arts tradition
With a strong family background in martial arts, Tara has always had sport close to her. Her mother, Ida Hellström, has won several World and European Championships medals, and her father, Mohammad Babulfath, has himself competed in the Olympics. This strong anchoring in the sport has been a great source of inspiration for her.
An equal sport in the international arena
As a young woman in a traditionally male-dominated sport, Tara has not experienced any particular obstacles. Internationally, she feels that judo is an equal sport where everyone competes on the same terms.
– It may be more male-dominated in Sweden, but internationally it is 50/50, she says.
The future – interim goals and dreams of new medals
With future goals such as participating in the World Championships in Budapest and a continued focus on personal development, Tara is determined to inspire others. Her advice to young girls who want to pursue martial arts?
– Dare to dream and go all in, she urges.
With her intensive training and focus on developing her weaknesses, Tara is determined not only to participate, but to be in top shape and aim for a new medal. Budapest 2025 will be a new milestone in her journey towards reaching the absolute top of judo in the world.
To inspire others to dare to dream big
With her strong drive and her ability to handle both victories and losses, Tara is a role model for many. Her dream is to inspire others to dare to follow their own dreams and never give up.
Swedish Judo
It is not a coincidence or a single event that has laid the foundation for the great successes that The Swedish Judo Federation (SJF) has had recently. Rather, it is the combined result of a good strategy in combination with purposeful and hard work, say Kristiina Pekkola (Chairperson of SJF) and Kent Andersson (Treasurer and Vice-Chairperson of SJF).
In the past year, something of a “Judo boom” has emerged in Sweden. Clubs around the country are experiencing growth with full beginner groups that have clearly been missing for many years since the Corona period, when the climate was completely different and some clubs had to lie fallow and some even closed down operations.
The Swedish Judo Federation has worked hard and purposefully with its long-term strategy for many years and now we are seeing the fruit of that work. The fact that Tara Babulfath made history with Sweden’s first ever Olympic medal in judo during this summer’s games in Paris is of course the crowning glory. Never has Swedish martial arts received so much attention in the media as now. The feeling is almost a bit like when Ingemar Stenmark inspired all of Sweden’s children and young people to start skiing, or when Björn Borg created a surge of interest in tennis- and of course, Zlatan Ibrahimović with football. We need a role model who can manifest the sport, someone that children and young people can identify with and who better than our Tara Babulfath to fill that role, so now it is finally martial arts’ turn to be in the spotlight.
>>> The successes in Judo are ”paving the way” for all martial arts! <<<
About judo
Judo means ”The gentle way” and is a Japanese martial art without punches and kicks. In judo, throws, holds, arm locks and neck locks are used to win over your opponent. The person who practices judo is called a judoka.
Judo is practiced in a training room, which is called a ”Dojo” in Japanese. Everyone trains barefoot on the judo mat (”Tatami”). Judo is normally practiced in mixed groups, both boys and girls or both men and women. They are often divided into different age groups and skill levels – shown by the color of the belt the practitioner wears. When someone starts judo, they wear a white belt – if they have a judo uniform.
Judo is an Olympic and Paralympic sport and debuted on the Olympic program at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and on the Paralympic program at the 1988 Seoul Paralympics.
The core values of judo are the same no matter where in the world you practice judo. The International Judo Federation, IJF, stands behind the core values and there are several original texts with thoughts and reflections from judo’s founder, Prof. Jigoro Kano, on the different parts of the core values. The differences that may exist between different versions are usually due to the interpretation that is always made in each translation from one language to another.
More about the Swedish Judo Federation
The Swedish Judo Federation (SJF) is a member-controlled organization consisting of approximately 20,000 members organized in approximately 160 clubs. The Swedish Judo Federation works to ensure that the development of judo in Sweden moves forward and aims to promote the activities of the member clubs as well as national and international activities. SJF works for an equal judo environment where everyone who wants to can participate. SJF conducts activities from children to veterans, with the majority of members between 7 and 12 years old. Both the Swedish national team and the para-national judo team are successful internationally and have won several medals at international championships and on the world tour.
Fall safety for the elderly
The Swedish Judo Federation is taking initiatives to increase fall safety for the elderly. Through the Judo4Balance project, we want to contribute to increased personal safety for the individual and at the same time reduce society’s costs for fall accidents. The professionally developed fall safety programs consist of balance and strength training as well as exercises that improve body awareness and the falling technique taught in judo.
That’s why fall safety training is needed
Fall accidents are one of society’s major public health problems. One of the most vulnerable groups is the elderly. Four people over the age of 65 die every day in Sweden as a result of falls. We want to change that!
What is unique about judo’s fall training is not only the natural strength, coordination and balance training that it provides, but that it can also alleviate the harmful effects of falls that cannot be prevented but still occur.
As we age, our balance deteriorates, our muscles become slower and we become weaker. This means that we do not have time to defend ourselves if something happens suddenly and it is easier to fall. Many who have experienced a fall accident testify to how the fear of falling again has limited their lives. With the right training, the individual can regain control of their body and strengthen their confidence in their own abilities,” explains Julia Hamilton, instructor and concept developer for Judo4Balance.
Fall safety for the elderly is part of the Swedish Judo Federation’s fall prevention program Judo4Balance. On the course, elderly people learn to fall safely to increase their safety in everyday life.
Taras choice along with the Swedish National Team is Adidas Judo Champion 3.
Read more about the Swedish Judo Federation.
Read more about adidas Judo Headquarters in France.
Find Adidas Judo products at the official distributor Budo & Fitness Sport.
Pictures from adidas Judo / Double D.
Text is partly translated from Erika Jonsson Kunhlad, OS-brons och drömmar om framtiden | Martial Art News and from Svensk Judo – Dragloket för Svensk Kampsport.
