Jakara Anthony Starts Olympic Moguls Title Defence Well

Jakara Anthony, the Olympic champion in moguls skiing, has started her defence of the title at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. She had a good performance in the first qualifying round, showing she is ready to compete for another medal.
By Newsroom | Winter Sports, Olympics |

Jakara Anthony, Australia's reigning Olympic moguls champion, has commenced her title defense at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics with a strong showing in the opening qualifying round. The event, a critical step in her quest to become the first Australian to successfully defend a Winter Olympic title, saw her deliver a performance that signals her readiness to compete for further honors.

The stakes are notably high for Anthony, a 27-year-old athlete who has already achieved significant milestones in her career. Her potential to make history at these Games, coupled with her past success and current form, positions her as a central figure in Australia's Olympic campaign.

‘No spoilers’: Jakara makes McDreamy start to Olympic title defence - 1

Background and Career Trajectory

Jakara Anthony has established herself as a formidable presence in freestyle skiing. Her journey to the Milano Cortina Games is marked by a series of achievements:

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  • Olympic Gold: She secured gold in the women's moguls at the Beijing Winter Olympics four years prior.

  • World Cup Dominance: Anthony has achieved numerous World Cup victories, recently making history by surpassing fellow Victorian aerialist Jacqui Cooper for the most World Cup moguls titles by an Australian skier. She has clinched her 26th World Cup moguls title.

  • Overall Success: She dominated the World Cup season, winning the overall, single, and dual moguls Crystal Globes.

  • Recognition: Anthony was selected as a flagbearer for the Australian team at the opening ceremony and was featured on the cover of Vogue Australia in January.

  • Injury Resilience: After missing part of a previous season with a broken collarbone, she returned to competition, achieving multiple World Cup wins.

Her skiing style is characterized by an ability to maintain a stable upper body while navigating the challenging icy terrain of moguls courses, a technique that distinguishes her among her peers.

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‘No spoilers’: Jakara makes McDreamy start to Olympic title defence - 2

Opening Olympic Rounds: Evidence and Observations

The initial stages of the women's moguls competition at the Milano Cortina Games have provided preliminary indicators of Anthony's current standing:

  • Qualifying Round Performance: Reports indicate Jakara Anthony led the standings after 11 athletes in the opening qualifying round, achieving a score of 81.65. This suggests a solid start to her defense.

  • Focus and Preparation: Ahead of her Olympic campaign, Anthony has emphasized a disciplined approach, reportedly engaging in activities such as building Lego, watching television, and completing puzzles to maintain focus and avoid "spoilers" or distractions related to mobile skiing.

  • Competitor Landscape: While Anthony has performed well, other athletes are also presenting strong challenges. Cooper Woods, another Australian competitor in the men's moguls, has advanced to the second qualifying stage after missing automatic qualification for the final. Competitors such as Filip Gravenfors and Shota Hirayama have recently achieved podium finishes in World Cup events.

Competitive Context and Historical Significance

Anthony's participation in the Milano Cortina Games carries significant historical weight:

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‘No spoilers’: Jakara makes McDreamy start to Olympic title defence - 3

  • Defending Champion: As the reigning Olympic champion, she is aiming to secure back-to-back gold medals in the moguls event.

  • Pioneering Achievement: Her success would mark her as the first Australian athlete to successfully defend a Winter Olympic title.

  • Dual Moguls Debut: The inclusion of dual moguls as a new event at these Games presents Anthony with the potential for a double gold medal achievement.

  • Australian Olympic Hopes: Anthony is recognized as one of Australia's primary medal hopes at these Games, with expectations for the Australian team to potentially surpass its previous best haul of medals from the Beijing Games.

Broader Australian Team Performance

Beyond Anthony's individual campaign, other Australian athletes are also competing:

  • Team Size: Australia has announced its second-largest winter team, comprising 52 athletes.

  • Other Medal Contenders: Several other athletes are considered strong contenders, including Scotty James (snowboard), Laura Peel (aerials), Matt Graham (moguls), Bree Walker (bobsled), Danielle Scott (aerials), and Josie Baff (snowboard cross).

Expert and Media Perspectives

Media coverage and expert commentary highlight Anthony's readiness and the historical context of her Olympic defense:

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‘No spoilers’: Jakara makes McDreamy start to Olympic title defence - 4

"She dominated the World Cup season… she returned this winter with three World Cup wins. At 27, Anthony is Australia’s greatest gold medal hope at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics." - The Guardian

"Anthony is perfectly positioned to defend her Olympic crown in less than a month's time… with a dominant showing to clinch her third World Cup victory of the season." - ABC News

"Her measured yet dogged pursuit of perfection has set her apart from her competitors for an entire Olympiad." - ESPN

The overall narrative surrounding Anthony emphasizes her consistent performance, resilience, and the potential for a historic achievement at these Games.

Summary of Findings and Implications

Jakara Anthony has initiated her Olympic title defense with a commanding performance in the initial qualifying round of the women's moguls. Her leading score of 81.65 demonstrates her capability to compete at the highest level and her strong preparation for the event.

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The implications of her performance are twofold:

  • Current Form: It strongly suggests she is a primary contender for the gold medal.

  • Historical Potential: Her success at these Games could lead to a significant milestone in Australian Olympic history by becoming the first to defend a Winter Olympic title.

Further rounds of competition, including the finals, will be critical in determining the final outcome. The ongoing narrative focuses on her ability to maintain this level of performance and manage the pressure associated with defending a championship title while navigating a potentially new historic achievement with the debut of dual moguls.

Sources Used

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Jakara Anthony do in the first qualifying round?
She did very well and was in the lead after many skiers had competed. She got a score of 81.65.
Q: Is this the first time Jakara Anthony is defending her title?
Yes, this is her first time trying to win the Olympic moguls title again. She won gold four years ago.
Q: Can Jakara Anthony make history?
Yes, if she wins again, she will be the first Australian to win a Winter Olympic title twice. She also has a chance to win in the new dual moguls event.
Q: Is Jakara Anthony the only Australian with a chance to win?
No, Australia has a large team, and other athletes like Scotty James and Laura Peel are also expected to do well.