Jakara Anthony Wins Second Gold Medal in Dual Moguls

Jakara Anthony has won her second gold medal at the Winter Olympics in the dual moguls event. This is a big win for Australia and shows her strength after a tough competition.
By Newsroom | Winter Sports, Olympics |

Jakara Anthony has achieved a significant milestone in Australian winter sports history, clinching her second Olympic gold medal in the dual moguls event at the Milano Cortina Games. This victory not only marks her as Australia's first-ever two-time Winter Olympic gold medalist but also adds the inaugural Olympic dual moguls title to her accolades. The win comes as a redemption after a previous stumble in the singles moguls event earlier in the competition, underscoring her resilience and skill.

Jakara Anthony re-lives her gold medal winning run - 1

Background: A Tale of Triumph and Setbacks

The journey to this historic win involved navigating intense competition and overcoming personal challenges.

Jakara Anthony re-lives her gold medal winning run - 2

  • Singles Moguls Disappointment: Days prior to the dual moguls event, Jakara Anthony, a favorite to defend her Beijing gold, experienced a fall in the super final of the singles moguls. This error led to a lower score, ending her bid for back-to-back titles in that discipline and eliciting descriptions of heartbreak.

  • Dual Moguls Dominance: In contrast, the dual moguls competition saw Anthony demonstrate remarkable focus. She advanced through the rounds, defeating Jaelin Kauf of the USA in the Big Final. Earlier, she had also bested Elizabeth Lemley, another American competitor, in the semi-finals.

Evidence of Success and Competitive Landscape

Multiple reports highlight Anthony's achievement and the context of her competition.

Read More: Jakara Anthony Wins Second Winter Olympic Gold in Dual Moguls

Jakara Anthony re-lives her gold medal winning run - 3

  • Key Victories:

  • Anthony defeated American Jaelin Kauf in the Big Final of the dual moguls.

  • She also overcame American Elizabeth Lemley in the semi-finals.

  • In the quarterfinals, she was victorious against Olivia Giaccio, despite an assessment of a "tight judging decision."

  • Record-Breaking Achievement:

  • Jakara Anthony is now Australia's first two-time Winter Olympic gold medalist.

  • She is also the first Australian Winter Olympian to win two gold medals.

  • Historical Context of Competitors:

  • Jaelin Kauf, Anthony's final opponent, secured her third Olympic silver medal, making her the most decorated women's moguls skier in history.

  • Elizabeth Lemley also earned her second medal of the Games, taking bronze.

  • Olivia Giaccio is noted for her consistent performance in dual moguls, with eight World Cup podium finishes.

  • Jaelin Kauf has a strong record in dual moguls, having ranked first in the World Cup rankings last season and winning five events, along with a Crystal Globe.

Anthony's Path to Redemption

The dual moguls victory is framed as a significant redemption for Anthony.

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Jakara Anthony re-lives her gold medal winning run - 4

  • Bouncing Back from Adversity: Reports emphasize that Anthony "bounced back from heartbreak" and "crushed by devastating fall" in the previous event to secure her gold.

  • Preparation and Performance: Despite the singles moguls setback, Anthony approached the dual moguls with "steely determination." Her performance in the final run was sufficient to secure victory, with judges awarding her the win by a score of 20 to 15.

  • Limited Recent Dual Moguls Experience: Notably, this Olympic dual moguls competition was only Anthony's second event in this discipline in over two years, a fact that adds to the significance of her win.

Judging and Performance Metrics

While the dual moguls results were decisive, the singles moguls run offered a point of contrast.

  • Singles Moguls Performance: In the earlier singles moguls final, Anthony scored 83.96 in her first run, leading the competition. However, a fall in the super final resulted in a score of 60.81, placing her last among the finalists.

  • Dual Moguls Judging: The report on the quarterfinal against Olivia Giaccio mentions a potentially "unnecessarily tight judging decision," though Anthony still emerged victorious. The final score difference in the Big Final suggests a clear margin in the dual moguls format.

Expert and Public Reaction

The achievement has generated considerable excitement and recognition.

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  • Iconic Status: Jakara Anthony has been described as becoming an "instant icon" and an "Aussie superstar."

  • Maternal Pride: Her mother, Sue, expressed being "lost for words" following the gold medal moment.

  • Celebration with Peers: Anthony was seen celebrating with Jessica Fox, an IOC member and fellow Australian Olympic legend, further highlighting the magnitude of her accomplishment within the national sporting community.

Conclusion and Future Implications

Jakara Anthony's dual gold medal victory is a landmark event for Australian winter sports. It demonstrates her exceptional skill and mental fortitude, particularly her ability to recover from a significant setback.

  • Dual Achievement: She now holds the distinction of being Australia's sole two-time Winter Olympic gold medalist.

  • Inaugural Title Holder: Securing the first-ever Olympic dual moguls gold medal adds another layer to her historic achievement.

  • National Success: This win contributes to a successful period for Australia at the Games, with reports noting it as potentially their "most successful winter Games yet."

  • Resilience as a Key Factor: The narrative strongly emphasizes Anthony's resilience, turning a previous disappointment into a resounding triumph.

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Sources:

Read More: Jakara Anthony Wins First Ever Olympic Dual Moguls Gold

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did Jakara Anthony win?
She won the gold medal in the dual moguls event at the Winter Olympics. This is her second gold medal.
Q: Is this a big win for Australia?
Yes, she is the first person from Australia to win two gold medals at the Winter Olympics.
Q: Did she win the singles moguls too?
No, she had a fall in the singles moguls event earlier, but she came back strong to win the dual moguls.