Nine months before the Paris Olympic Games, the battle rages on the tatami mats. The blue quota is limited and the French championships in Caen from November 18 to 19, 2023 promise to be spectacular. Normans hope to distinguish themselves there.
Teddy Riner, Clarisse Agbegnenou, Amandine Buchard, Romane Dicko, Audrey Tcheuméo, Luka Mkheidze… On paper, there are many Olympic medalists expected in Caen in mid-November. “But probably not everyone will come”says Stéphane Serinet, technical director for the Normandy region of the French Judo Federation.
All these big names are well registered, but some might be tempted to rest after a successful European Championships last weekend in Montpellier (9 French medals including 5 titles). Except that the selections for the Olympics are being played out at the moment…
It’s a holy grail for any athlete. But, when you are a French judoka, going to the Olympic Games is already a big obstacle course, because the pool is immense. France is a world reference in the discipline, Olympic team champion, she returned from Tokyo with 8 medals, a record.
And if certain sports have already announced their qualified athletes for Paris 2024, judo keeps the suspense going. With only one place per category for each country, the fight rages between the blues to be the lucky one. LE selected. Being reigning champion guarantees nothing, except for rare untouchables like Teddy Riner. The tatami star went on an internship to Japan, far from view.
Normandy is banking heavily on Ugo Legrand’s return to competition. The bronze medalist in London has come out of retirement and hopes to quickly regain his level.
There are twenty judokas from the region to be registered for these French championships in Caen.
Eure judo alone represents half of these athletes, with Romaric Bouda at the head of the line. Vice-champion of France last season, he was a Grand Slam medalist and 5th in the last Grand Slam in Paris.
Romaric Bouda is a real chance of a medal, or even a title in -60 kg.
Stéphane Serinet, Normandy region technical director of the French Judo Federation
Grand-Quevilly will therefore count on Hugo Legrand, but also Mathys Da Silva, French junior champion in +100 kg and selected for the last European championships.
Baptiste Cureau enters the big leagues after several podiums among juniors • © DR
We will not forget in this list two veterans of the house, who despite their move far from here, to clubs more favorable to progression, will fight almost at home: Joseph Terhec and Baptiste Cureau.
Joseph Terhec, team silver medalist at the worlds in May, was not selected for the last European Championships in the +100 kg category, and will have to show that he deserves his place. Without Teddy Riner as a potential opponent in Caen, the ex from Alençon is expected, even if he has no illusions about the Olympics.
Ambition also for Baptiste Cureau, formerly of the Avant-Garde of Caen. “I’m aiming for a podium, even if I changed category.” French junior champion in -90 kg and holder at the European junior championships in September, here he is now among the seniors. He will surely be able to count on his family and many supporters in the new Palais des sports in Caen.
2023-11-11 18:20:57
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