From April 29 to May 1, the French judo team is competing in the European Championships in Sofia (Bulgaria). Without Riner or Agbegnenou, but with ambition.
Less than one year after the Tokyo Olympics, the French judo team is already setting out to win medals. More precisely European charms, since the best tricolor judokas and judokates have an appointment in Sofia (Bulgaria), from Friday to Sunday, for the European championships.
A competition for which Teddy Riner and Clarisse Agbegnenou, the two headliners of French judo, are not in the game. But even without them, the Blues can hope to climb on several podiums. Among women in particular, the density is impressive. In -52kg, Amandine Buchard will try to keep her European title, acquired last year in Lisbon.
Third European crown for Romane Dicko?
In -57kg, the French chances are doubled with Sarah-Léonie Cysique and Priscilla Gneto. Olympic champion in the mixed event in Tokyo, the first named had won bronze at the last European championships. European champion in 2017, the second intends to dominate its category again.
Revealed to the general public in Tokyo, the young Romane Dicko will be one of the favorites in +78kg. The 22-year-old judoka can rely, despite her young age, on a solid experience with European titles in 2018 and 2020. Title objective also for Madeleine Malonga (-78kg), in silver on the last Olympics and Worlds. A French women’s team which can also count on Marie-Ève Gahié and Margaux Pinot in -70kg.
Among men, the trend is to give young judokas a chance. Orlando Cazorla (-66kg), Théo Riquin (-73kg), Alexis Mathieu (-90kg) or even Maxime-Gaël NGayap Hambou (-90kg) are all under 23 and will be playing in Sofia.
Programme
Friday April 29
8:30 a.m.: Women’s (-48 kg, -52 kg, -57 kg) and men’s (-60 kg, -66 kg) qualifiers
3 p.m.: Finals
Saturday April 30
8:30 a.m.: Women’s (-63 kg, -70 kg) and men’s (-73 kg, -81 kg) qualifiers
3 p.m.: Finals
Sunday May 1
8:30 a.m.: Women (-78 kg, +78 kg) and men (-90 kg, -100 kg, +100 kg) qualifiers
3 p.m.: Finals
