Slovenian judoka Lucija Polavder won bronze in the +78 category at the Beijing Olympics on Friday, earning the second medal for Slovenia at the Olympics and the second judo medal for the country ever.
Polavder, who is ranked fifth in the world, suffered defeat in the semi-final at the hands of reigning Olympic champion Maki Tsukado.
In the fight for third place she was far superior to the much heavier Kim Nayoung, but she was unable to get the Korean to the floor and ended up winning on account of a koka or penalty point for inactivity.
"I have realised my dream and what I'm going through right now will be hard to repeat," a shining Polavder said after the fight.
Polavder's had less than half an hour to recover after the crushing defeat against Tsukado, who scored an ippon three minutes into the fight.
"It was tough to concentrate after this fight. Everyone helped: the coach gave me final instructions and Urska [Zolnir] massaged my arm."
Tong Wen of China won by scoring an ippon against Tsukada just 16 seconds from time. Cuban Idalys Ortiz won the second bronze.
Slovenia now has one silver, won by swimmer Sara Isakovic, and one bronze at the Olympic Games, with several other prospective medalists yet to finish competition.
This is also the second Olympic judo medal for Slovenia after Urska Zolnir won bronze in Athens in 2004.
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