Australia’s Jakara Anthony wins gold in dual moguls
“There were so many unknowns,” the 27-year-old actor said.
“We didn’t really know how some things were going to go, but I feel like we made really good progress throughout the day and there’s a lot of people who believed in me and helped me gain that belief. In the end, I was pretty confident that I was going to do my best and make some runs that I was really proud of.”
As if what these athletes were going through wasn’t hard enough, the format added another layer of pressure.
In doubles the task is exactly the same as in singles moguls, but instead of beating the rest of the field you have to beat the person opposite you by flying in from the other side of the race at the same time.
It’s a race, but time isn’t the only factor; The judges also score turns and jumps, which means the fastest skier doesn’t always win. If one collapses and the other does not, the result is clear. If they both crash, it’s about whose run is least affected.
“You have to have some awareness [of] What’s going on next to you, know when to push a little harder,” Anthony said. “There’s a little more strategy to it.”
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Beyond the one-on-one challenge factor, it’s more physically and mentally grueling: The entire tournament was completed in an hour and a half, with a field of 30 reduced to two finals to decide the medals. This means quick returns; It’s hard on the body, but probably better on the mind because there’s less time to get bogged down in emotions.
This was boxing on and in the snow, complete with the equivalent of Michael Buffer on the speakers. “Blue route is ready! Red route is ready!” he shouted before every encounter. Then they roared downwards.
Like fighters trying to claim victory by flexing their muscles in front of the crowd before the referee cards are announced, some skiers tried to sell their performances by clenching their fists as they crossed the line, as if to convince everyone that they had done enough. While official scores are awaited, both skiers are featured on the big screen; The only thing missing was a referee to hold the winner’s arm up.
There was even a hint of a possible trial scandal at the end. France’s Perrine Laffont couldn’t believe she missed out on a medal after a closely contested one-point defeat to Lemley.
Anthony, who was in the ‘blue corner’ against American Jaelin Kauf in the final, has never boxed before but can see the parallels.
“Red, blue, one-on-one. I think there are a few,” he laughed.
As you know, the red was actually clearly pink, as his coach Peter McNiel admitted. And here lay a sign.
“I actually like it to be pink,” she said. “And best of all… [her] The skis are a special model by Jakara Anthony and their colors are pink and blue. I think it suits the situation.”
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It’s time for the blocks on Sunday (10.30pm AEDT) when new champion Cooper Woods will have the chance to double up in doubles. If he can do it, he will become the first Australian to achieve this at the Winter Olympics.
Choosing a favorite gold medalist should be like choosing a favorite child. Anthony couldn’t do this, but he could notice that the outlines of each journey were completely different. This is undeniably sweet.
“The first Olympic gold medal in Beijing was mind-blowing,” he said.
“And it’s also mind-blowing, to have my friends and family here for this, to be the first dual gold medal awarded at the Olympics, to be the first Australian to get two gold medals, to be able to overcome the adversity of the other day and be able to bounce back and put this performance behind us.
“This is special for so many other reasons.”
Winter Olympic Games are broadcast on TV 9Network, 9Now And Stan Sports.
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