Our student Tjaša Ristić makes history in Novi Sad with a bronze medal for Slovenian women’s karate

The Slovenian women’s national karate team now boasts a medal in the big senior women competition thanks to Tjaša Ristić who last weekend bagged a historic (bronze) medal at the European Championship in Novi Sad. “I am really proud to have won it“, the 24-year-old athlete from Kranj said with a smile, noting she had not expected such success.

“I know I can achieve a lot, but after the Karate Federation’s new management replaced the national team coach, I had a minor crisis and was not as solid as I once was. Namely, I enjoyed great cooperation with the previous women’s selector Matjaž Končina, who had worked in our club (Kranj Karate Club) in the past, so I needed some time to get used to our new coach, Damir Vrbanič” she explained. She attributes her outstanding success to club coach Jaka Šarabon, Rok Trost who takes care of her physical fitness, and sports psychologist Tanja Kajtna. However, first place is reserved for her father Drago Ristić, who is also a coach and has stood by her from the outset, through good and bad times.

“I am taking one step at a time and my long-term goal is the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo”, she emphasised, calculating that, by then, she will have finished her master’s studies at the Faculty of Economics.

Later this year Tjaša Ristić is to participate in the Mediterranean Games in Tarragona and the World Championship in Madrid.

We sincerely congratulate Tjaša for her historic success.

SOURCE: Delo newspaper

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