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Largo native Anastasija Zolotic became the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic gold medal in taekwondo when she captured the 57kg event. Zolotic, 18, beat Russia’s Tatiana Minina 25-17 in the championship match to cap her first Olympic appearance in style.
She was not among the favorites for gold coming into the event, as most observers figured she would get valuable experience that would set her up for the Paris Olympics in 2024. She had other ideas.
Zolitic, who now lives in Colorado Springs, earned silver at the 2018 Youth Olympics and gold in the 2018 Junior World Championships.
– Joe Henderson, Extensive Enterprises Media