JUDO: Eighteen-year-old Naomi de Bruine showed the strength of a true Australian today, competing in the women’s -78kg Judo competition at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, just missing out on the bronze medal match.

“I am very happy overall, I am here, that is all that matters,” the teenager from Castle Hill in NSW said.

The draw started well with de Bruine winning her first round in the preliminaries against Wang of Taipei.

“I was surprised and very happy,” the 2013 National Champion said at the end of the match. “I gave it all.”

Pleased with her effort, she was ready to take on Duchene of France in the Quarterfinals, however the Frenchwoman was too strong and overpowered de Bruine with an ippon.

“She was much stronger, but I still tried my hardest.”

Advancing to the repechage, for a chance to play in the bronze medal match, de Bruine came up against Rodriguez of Spain.

“I was just unlucky,” de Bruine said after losing the fight, bowing out with a display of great strength.

“Sitting on the floor and seeing the score pops up gets you down, but I tried to keep fighting.”

Asked what makes her get up after being wrestled to the ground, de Bruine replied.

“It is in someone’s nature. I just love the sport. Once you are out there on the big mat, you keep going, keep fighting as this might be a once in a lifetime opportunity, you make the most of it.”

The Youth Olympics are not over for de Bruine just yet. She joins fellow Australian Bryan Jolly in the mixed teams event on Day 5 of the Games.

Frances Cordaro 

olympics.com.au

@AUSOlympicTeam