Rio Olympian Katharina Haecker has claimed Australia's first ever medal on the International Judo Federation’s Grand Slam circuit.
The 26-year-old won bronze at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam defeating Agata Ozdoba-Blach.
Having recently placed seventh at the World Championships and narrowly missing out on a medal as the Cancun Grand Prix, Haecker was determined to get the result she was after.
Haecker won three fights, two against world medallists, to claim the bronze medal.
“What a day. This is my first Grand Slam medal and the first ever for Australia. Today history was made. Let’s continue the journey with a lot more of those great results and enjoy it,” she said.
The result will help with valuable Olympic Qualification Points as Haecker looks to make the Australian team for her second consecutive Olympics.
Next up for Haecker is the Tashkent Grand Prix and the Osaka Grand Slam events, both to be held in November.
Related Articles

Australia Winter Olympics gold-medal drought ended by Jakara Anthony

Updated: Australia's Olympic curling pioneers get two wins after 'late reprieve'
