TOKYO 2020: The woman who introduced taekwondo to Serbia stands in Faith Ogallo's path

Our only representative in taekwondo Faith Ogallo is set to take on 29-year-old Serbian fighter Milica Mandic in the +67 kg category. The draw pitted the Kenyan against one of the world's most experienced fighters. Who is Milica Mandic?

Ten years ago, if you'd asked an average sports fan in Serbia who was representing their country in the sport of taekwondo in the 2012 Olympic Games in London - they'd probably have given you a blank stare. In fact, most people weren't even aware that their country has any notable fighters. But that was to change soon.

Milica Mandic, a then-20-year-old woman from the Serbian capital of Belgrade, stunned the world by winning the gold medal, the first-ever for her country in the sport. She went from a virtual unknown to the most talked-about sports personality. The girl who never thought she'd ever competed in the Olympic Games won her country's only gold medal in London.

Fast forward nine years and countless medals, Mandic is set for her swan song in Tokyo.

"I'm 29, and I've had many injuries. The Games in Tokyo will likely be my last big competition."

Milica Mandic (in red) (©AFP)

Speaking to Stil in Serbia, the charming woman admits that, although the sport of taekwondo has taken her around the world, she has her sights on other things in life.

"I've no regrets. I've tasted success and failure. I've experienced what it's like on the top and what it means when everyone doubts you. Taekwondo has given me so much, and I'd never change anything that's been. Facing the curtain is not going to be easy, but you have to find a way to start over - no matter how scary it may seem. Winning gold medals in the 2012 Olympics and 2017 World Championship were the crown jewels of my career - but there is still a bit more to come!"

Milica has already passed the mantle to Tijana Bogdanovic, another young woman who's won the silver in the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. These two women made the public in the Balkan country mostly focused on team sports like football and basketball take notice of taekwondo and hope for more medals to come. It would be fun to see a former basketball player Ogallo end their Milica's hopes in Tokyo.

Winning an Olympic medal is bound to pit you against the best in the game – and Serbia's Milica Mandic certainly is one of the best. She has been seeded third, while our Faith is the 14th seed out of 16 fighters in the category. On Tuesday, 27 July at 14.30, we'll be hoping that seeds are just irrelevant numbers.