Charlotte Dujardin became the most decorated British female equestrian after winning a bronze medal in dressage at the Tokyo Olympics. The 31-year-old won her third individual Olympic medal, having previously won gold and silver at London 2012.
With a bronze medal in a stressful individual dressage race at Tokyo 2020, Charlotte Dujardin became Great Britain’s most decorated female Olympian.
Dujardin, 36, was nervously waiting to see whether Dorothee Schneider would beat her 88.543 percent score in the last run of the day, but the German rider was unable to prevent her from winning her sixth Olympic gold.
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl of Germany scored 91.732 percent to beat compatriot Isabell Werth’s 89.657 percent to break Dujardin’s streak of consecutive Olympic championships from 2012 to 2016.
However, her three gold medals, one silver, and two bronze medals put her ahead of rower Katherine Grainger and tennis player Kathleen McKane Godfree, who all won five medals.
“It’s incredible,” Dujardin said to Sport. “To believe I’ve accomplished everything.” It’s all a little strange.” It was good enough to be on equal footing with Katherine Grainger, and now I’ve defeated her. It’s fantastic, and I’m very pleased of myself.”
Dujardin is currently the most successful female Olympian in British history.
The Germans refused to allow a clean sweep.
On her Olympic debut, gold medalist Von Bredow-Werndl put on a magnificent performance, carefully guiding her horse TSF Dalera to the music of the popular 2016 film “La La Land.”
Werth won her 12th Olympic gold, extending her record as the sport’s most decorated athlete, while Von Bredow-Werndl was clearly upset after finishing second behind her compatriot.
Schneider would have guaranteed an all-German podium in the race for the first time since 1992 if she had passed Dujardin to deny the Briton her record-breaking gold.
Carl Hester of Team GB, a three-time Olympic medalist in the team event, finished eighth on En Vogue, while Olympic rookie Charlotte Fry finished 13th aboard Everdale.
Dujardin is interested in learning more about history.
In 2012 and 2016, Dujardin rode Valegro to victory, but in Tokyo, he was on Gio.
Dujardin had previously won in the Games while riding the now-retired Valegro, a horse commemorated by a monument in Dujardin’s village of Newent, Gloucestershire.
Her new horse, Gio, was given the nickname Pumpkin after arriving in her stable around Halloween. He handled the sweltering Tokyo heat and the added strain of competing in an Olympic event well.
“As you can see, Gio is my new dance partner, and my tiny pocket rocket has a golden heart,” Dujardin added.
“He sacrificed everything, and I’m speechless. I was practically flinging him from one item to the next, and he kept going. What he’s accomplished here is incredible.”
At Tokyo 2020, Dujardin’s record of six medals may be threatened by Laura Kenny, a cyclist.
But, considering that Dujardin’s teammate Hester, who has mentored her to success in the sport, is still participating at the age of 54, she seems to have time to add to her own record medal total.
Looking at her bronze medal, she told Sport that by Paris 2024, she would be able to assist her young horse’s development, adding: “There’s still a lot more to come. I’m sure it won’t be this color, but something else.”
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Michael Phelps is the most decorated male swimmer.
