Audrey Tcheumeo (white kimono), during the final of the European Judo Championships against the German Anna-Maria Wagner, Saturday April 27 in Zagreb. DAMIR SENCAR / AFP Barbancourt the rum of connoisseurs Unlucky in the race to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the Frenchwoman Audrey Tcheuméo was crowned European judo champion for the
Audrey Tcheumeo (white kimono), during the final of the European Judo Championships against the German Anna-Maria Wagner, Saturday April 27 in Zagreb. DAMIR SENCAR / AFP
Barbancourt
the rum of connoisseurs
Unlucky in the race to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Frenchwoman Audrey Tcheuméo was crowned European judo champion for the fifth time in her career in the -78 kg category, Saturday April 27 in Zagreb.
Tcheuméo, 34, won in the final against the German Anna-Maria Wagner, world number 3. The Frenchwoman started her day by dispatching, in 23 seconds, the neutral Russian Nadezhhda Tatarchenko, before dominating the German Alina Boehm, double title holder who had beaten her a few weeks ago.
In the semi-final, it was quite a client in the person of the Israeli Inbar Lanir, world number 1 and reigning world champion, who stood before her. But the Frenchwoman was extremely solid and dominated her opponent physically and technically to reach the final.
Despite this fifth continental title, Tcheuméo will not be part of the French team selected for the Paris Olympics this summer, the Federation having preferred Madeleine Malonga, Olympic vice-champion in Tokyo and current fifth in the world.
“The past is past, now we move forward”
“It was a tough day, but that’s the magic of judo. We are all the same and it’s the mind that plays a role on the big day”said Tcheuméo, being philosophical about his non-selection for Paris: “Life is about challenges. I chose to come to Europe because I wanted to win and I wanted to enjoy the moment. The past is past, now we move forward. »
She will have another opportunity to shine in less than a month at the World Championships.
Two other medals came to garnish the blue purse on Saturday, thanks to Julia Tolofua and Léa Fontaine in the superior category (+78 kg). For her first European Championships as a senior, Tolofua won the silver medal after her defeat in the final against the Israeli Raz Hershko, world No.2. Like Tcheuméo, the 26-year-old fighter, back after a long shoulder injury, will not compete in the Olympics this summer, Romane Dicko having been selected as a heavyweight.
A few moments earlier, Léa Fontaine had won the bronze medal, thus reaching her second continental podium after second place in 2021.
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2024-04-27 20:36:46
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