Judoka Haecker picked for third Olympic Games
Katharina Haecker has been selected to compete at her third Olympic Games.
Australian judoka Katharina Haecker has set her sights on a breakthrough medal at her third Olympic Games.
Haecker will equal the most Olympic judo appearances by an Australian woman as she joins teammates Aoife Coughlan and Josh Katz - both competing at their second Games.
The 31-year-old Haecker, who will fight in the -63kg class, is a Grand Prix silver and bronze medallist this year and competed at the Rio 2016 Games and again in Tokyo three years ago.
"I feel very prepared," she said.
"I've had some amazing results over the qualifying period and I am feeling ready to step it up in Paris.
"I want to give my best, do myself justice and get that medal."
Coughlan, 28, feels at home on the mat - her parents met at a judo club when they were at university and Aoife has been competing in the sport since she was five.
"This is something I have been working really hard towards since Tokyo, so I am really excited," Coughlan said.
"We have a really great view of the Eiffel Tower from our arena, the crowd is going to be huge, it will be loud, and it will just be fantastic.
"Performance wise, I've had a great prep and lead up. I know I can win a medal.
"If I fight as well as I can on the day, I know it is possible."