The karate athlete from Vila do Conde Ana Rita Oliveira won the gold medal in the +68 kg kumite category at the Mediterranean Games held in Taranto, Italy. The 28-year-old athlete, representing Ginásio Clube Vilacondense, delivered one of the most outstanding performances of the Portuguese Mission and once again placed the name of Vila do Conde on the international map.
To reach the title, Ana Rita won three highly demanding bouts, defeating Bosnia's Stefani Kresic, Cyprus' Theodosia Giamouki, and Kosovo's Fortesa Orana. In the final, she defeated Montenegrin Jovana Damjanovic 4-3, securing the gold.
The athlete showed maturity, confidence, and decision-making ability that placed her at the highest level of the competition. The moment of victory was experienced with great emotion, especially upon hearing the national anthem, "A Portuguesa," once again. The support of the team, coach Estêvão, and her husband, Joaquim Mendes, was decisive in creating the perfect environment toward the podium.
With this historic gold, Portugal reached thirty medals in the Mediterranean competition.
