Aussie Jakara Anthony stuns the world by winning gold at Winter Olympics

Australia has a new Winter Olympics gold medallist as Jakara Anthony broke a 12-year drought to become the nation’s sixth champion.

Jakara Anthony is Australia’s newest hero.

Australian superstar Jakara Anthony has dominated the women’s freestyle moguls competition in Beijing, winning gold in a stunning result overnight.

The win is Australia’s sixth ever Winter Olympics gold medal and the first since Torah Bright and Lydia Lassila in 2010 in Vancouver.

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Finishing first in qualifying and each of the finals, Anthony needed to beat American Jaelin Kauf’s score of 80.28 when she stood at the top of the mountain for her final run.

Less than 30 seconds later, Anthony was the Olympic champion, earning a score of 83.09.

Anthony said the result was “incredible” and she was “lost for words”.

As for how she handled the pressure, Anthony added: “It is a real testament to myself and the team around me in the last four years.

“Really solid processes to follow. It really hasn’t been easy. I think that I am a much better athlete and person because of it. I think that is the best thing that has come out of this.

“You know my mind was flicking to what the outcome to be. I thought, ‘No, hang on. Come on this is what you need to do right now. This is what you can control’.

“As much as I don’t want to go thinking about results, it happens. It happens to everyone. It is how you manage that really pays off in the end.”

Lassila then joined the post-run interview on Channel 7 and said: “From one Olympic champion to the other … congratulations mate. Welcome to the club.”

Anthony replied: “Thank you, that means a lot.”

What a legend. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Speaking about Anthony’s achievement, Lassila, who knows first hand how hard it is to win Olympic gold, was blown away.

“She just did exactly what she had to do. It is not easy. We have seen it so many times it the Olympics, it is not easy to win an Olympic medal but she made it look simple,” Lassila said.

“I have flashbacks to presenting Jakara Anthony with intra school medals at the top of the podium. As a little kid, even then she had this intensity about her, you could tell that she was going somewhere.

“She has had to work hard. And she has. She’s done everything she needed to because she wanted it. She wanted it so bad. I know it will inspire so many young girls and boys out there. That was an amazing performance.”

Fellow Australian Winter Olympic gold medallist Alisa Camplin, who topped the podium for aerial skiing at the 2002 Games and is Deputy Chef de Mission for the Australian team, was in tears over Anthony’s achievement.

“It is a special moment for Jakara and Australia. She is an absolute champion. She has worked so hard for this and was so steely under pressure. I am so incredibly proud,” Camplin said.

“A lot of people along the way that came before me and after me sets the standards. And also a lot of love.

“There is a really family magic in this team right now. We really care about each other. It is about each other. It is not just about the skiing. It’s about being good people and being there for each other and through thick and thin and knowing that you are safe no matter what the outcome of the day. It just allows people to fight.”

Australia stayed up late on Sunday night to watch the final and sports fans were ecstatic about Anthony’s incredible win.

SHE’S BLOODY DONE IT!!! GOLD for Jakara Anthony - absolute QWEEN!! 🥇👑👑 how good is sport!!!! #Gold#Olympics

— Lauren Tomasi (@LaurenTomasi) February 6, 2022

You little beauty Jakara Anthony 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 been on top since the first run & continued to scored 80 throughout the #Olympics 🥇 What a day..Tess Coady 🥉 & Womens #Ashes victory all on @7Sport

— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) February 6, 2022

Hell of a finish for the Olympic final and absolute nails performance from Jakara.

To throw down a perfect run after Jaelin (who got underscored FWIW) threw one down herself was immensely impressive. https://t.co/v0YonQyyCQ

— Andrew G. Haubner (@A_G_Haubner) February 6, 2022

Jakara Anthony, how dominant was that! Nerves of steel. #WinterOlympics

— Brydon Coverdale (@brydoncoverdale) February 6, 2022

Anthony and Britt Cox had qualified for the final earlier in the week and were joined by Sophie Ash.

Cox and Ash managed 14th and 16th respectively as Anthony qualified first in each of the finals.

Anthony was on fire. (Photo by Christophe Pallot/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)

All hail the Queen. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)