Barbara Matić (Split, December 3, 1994) is a Croatian judoka who achieved historic successes for Croatia with her career. She became the first Croatian Olympic champion in judo – she won a gold medal in the category up to 70 kg at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris – and is a multiple world champion (2021 and 2022). She achieved all these successes with a series of medals at European championships and major tournaments, becoming a pride and role model for young athletes. Her story begins in her native Split, where she fell in love with judo at the age of 6 and soon showed an exceptional talent for the sport.
Early life and junior successes
Barbara Matić grew up in Split. At the Pujanke Elementary School in Split, she met the future coach Vladimir Preradović, who introduced her to judo. As a six-year-old, she started training judo at a local club. Although she was initially a “little buck”, she showed an exceptional competitive spirit – her father Boris gave her the nickname “Bembo” from the beginning.
In the junior competition, she quickly became dominant. She was twice a junior world champion (2013 and 2014) and a junior European champion (2013). These titles announced her transition to seniors, and predestined subsequent success in the seniors. Already as a young competitor, she showed the breadth of knowledge and persistence, which is confirmed by the fact that she studied at the same time – she has a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Shipbuilding in Split.
Key successes in a senior career
In her senior career, Barbara Matić won a number of the greatest judo titles:
- Olympics (up to 70 kg): Gold medal at Olympics 2024 (Paris). With this, she won the first gold for Croatia at those Games and at the same time the first Olympic medal in Judo for our country. In Tokyo in 2020, she was fifth (she also performed in Rio de Janeiro in 2016).
- World Championships (up to 70 kg): Gold medal in 2021 (Budapest) and 2022 (Taškent). At the WC 2021 in Budapest, she became the first Croatian world champion in judo, and a year later she defended the title of world champion in Tashkent. At the WC 2023 in Doha, she won a bronze medal.
- European Championships (up to 70 kg): Gold medal in 2024 (Zagreb); She won bronze medals in 2014, 2017 and 2019 (at the EP) and 2023 (EP). In 2024, she finally became the European champion in her category, having previously won bronze in continental competitions four times.
- Juniors and other: She is a two-time junior world champion (2013, 2014) and junior European champion (2013). During her career, she also collected numerous medals at Grand Slam and Grand Prix tournaments: among them are 3 Grand Slam titles and 5 Grand Prix titles, which repeatedly placed her in first place in the world IJF ranking list.
With these results, Matić confirmed the status of one of the best judokas in the world. At the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, she defeated the German Miriam Butkereit in the final, confirming the “Flawless” style of the fight (with 10-0 in the semi-final and a 1-0 victory in the final). After the Olympic Games and the WC, and the European gold in Zagreb, she won the title of one of the greatest Croatian athletes in history.
Personal life and recognition
In addition to sporting successes, Barbara Matić also realized herself privately. In 2025, she married Serbian judoka Filip Đinović, with whom she now lives in Split. Together they have a daughter whom they named Lara. After marriage, Matić sometimes figures in the media under the surname Đinović. Both facts confirm that, in addition to a top athlete, she is also a dedicated mother and wife.
She has been awarded numerous awards for her work and successes. The Croatian Olympic Committee awarded her the award for athlete of the year 2022 and 2023, as well as the first “Mateje Ljubeka” award for lifetime achievement in sports. The Croatian public recognized her contribution – she was celebrated in her hometown of Split, and visitors were greeted by a ceremony worthy of an Olympic champion. Matić does not hide that her role model is skier Janica Kostelić, and her goal in judo is to achieve at least part of what Janica achieved in skiing.
Conclusion
Barbara Matić changed the history of Croatian judo with her sporting achievements. Her dedication, expertise and persistence inspire young athletes in Croatia and beyond. Today, she is a top athlete and the pride of Croatian sports – with an atypical success that she also achieves success in her academic career at the same time. Following her career still means following Croatian sport at its best. For the latest information on Barbara’s successes (eg preparations for future Los Angeles Olympics), we recommend following the official announcements of the Croatian Olympic Committee and the Croatian Judo Federation and relevant sports media.
The most important results: Olympic gold 2024 (Paris); World gold 2021 (Budapest), 2022 (Tashkent); European gold in 2024 (Zagreb); Double junior world champion in 2013, 2014.
