18-year-old becomes first US woman to win gold in taekwondo

Anastasija Zolotic on Sunday became the first U.S. woman to win a gold medal in taekwondo, Yahoo Sports reported on Sunday.

Zolotic, 18, defeated Tatiana Minina of the Russian Olympic Committee 25-17 in the women’s 57-kg final at the Tokyo Olympics, in a competitive three-round bout. Entering the final round with a one-point lead, Zolotic gained seven more points to beat the fifth-ranked taekwondo fighter in the world. 

Zolotic defeated Morocco’s Nada Laaraj, Turkey’s Hatice Kubra Ilgun and Chinese Taipei’s Lo Chia-ling en route to her gold medal match, according to Yahoo Sports.  

We can’t take it either!!! Anastasija Zolotic is an OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST and she’s the first @TeamUSA woman to claim that title in taekwondo #OlympicHERstory pic.twitter.com/XlGHUsDBnJ

— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) July 25, 2021

Zolotic is the fourth Team USA athlete to win gold in Japan, joining swimmer Chase Kalisz, shooter Will Shaner and fencer Lee Kiefer. 

Zolotic was the fourth American to reach the taekwondo final match, with former team USA athlete Steven Lopez holding two gold medals from the event, Yahoo Sports noted.