In a touching display of nostalgia and pride, Hungarian Olympic Taekwondo champion Viviana Marton marked her victory by proudly displaying the Canary Islands flag after winning gold in the under 67kg category. The gesture was a heartfelt nod to her roots in Tenerife, where she was born and spent her formative years.
Marton, who used to live and train in the south of Tenerife, clinched the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and faced off against Croatia’s Aleksandar Perisic in a thrilling final. Her celebration with the Canary Islands flag was a powerful reminder of her connection to the island where she was born and raised until the age of 12.
Though Marton is now associated with Hungary, where she has honed her athletic prowess, her connection to Tenerife remains a significant part of her identity. Currently training in San Sebastián de Los Reyes, near Madrid, Marton’s journey from sunny shores to the Olympic stage has been marked by dedication and perseverance.
Her path to Olympic success began with a move from Tenerife, where she and her twin sister, Luana, explored various sports before focusing on Taekwondo.
The sisters relocated to Madrid to pursue their athletic dreams more intensely. Despite representing Hungary in her international career, Marton’s Olympic victory was not just a personal achievement but also a tribute to her Canary Island heritage.
Before her remarkable performance in Paris, Marton took a brief detour back to Hungary to reconnect with her family’s homeland before returning to her training base in Madrid. Throughout her career, she has balanced her Hungarian representation with a deep-seated affection for her Canary Island beginnings, making her victory a celebration of both her current success and her enduring roots.
