France is one of the most successful nations in the world of judo, boasting an impressive number of world-class athletes. For decades, France has had a strong presence in the international judo scene, with many athletes achieving international success.
French judo players have won numerous medals at Olympic, World Championship, and European Championship events. This article will explore some of the best judo players in France, their accomplishments, and their legacies.
1. Teddy Riner
Teddy Pierre-Marie Riner is a French judoka who has achieved extraordinary success in his field. He is the only judoka to have ever won eleven World Championships gold medals, making him the most decorated World Championships athlete in judo history.
On top of this, he has also won three Olympic gold medals, solidifying his status as one of the best judokas of all time.
As if this wasn’t enough, Riner has also won five gold medals at the European Championships, giving him a total of nineteen gold medals across major international competitions.
This is a remarkable achievement, and it is a testament to Riner’s hard work and dedication that he has been able to reach such heights. He is a true inspiration to aspiring judokas around the world.
2. Marie-Ève Gahié
Marie-Eve Gahié is a French judoka who has achieved remarkable success in her sport. In 2017, she won a European bronze medal in the 70 kg division. This was a major accomplishment for her, and it only propelled her to greater heights.
In 2019, she became the World champion in the same division, further cementing her status as a judo powerhouse. On 12 November 2022, Marie-Eve Gahié achieved another milestone in her judo career, winning a gold medal at the 2022 European Mixed Team Judo Championships as part of team France.
This victory added an impressive accolade to her already impressive list of accomplishments, making her one of the top judo athletes in the world. Marie-Eve Gahié’s determination and hard work has paid off in the form of her numerous successes.
Her achievements in judo are an inspiration to anyone looking to pursue their passion and reach their goals. Her inspiring story serves as a reminder that with the right attitude and dedication, anything is possible.
3. Benjamin Axus
Benjamin Axus is a French judoka, who has had great success in his sport. He has participated in multiple international competitions and has been awarded medals for his outstanding performance. In 2018, he competed at the World Judo Championships and won a medal.
Four years later, in 2022, he won one of the bronze medals in his event at the Judo Grand Slam Paris, a competition held in his home country of France. This was a great honor for him, as it showed his impressive skills and commitment to the sport.
His success has not only earned him recognition from his peers but also inspired others to pursue judo.
4. Margaux Pinot
Margaux Pinot is a French judoka who has had a successful career in her sport. In 2020, she achieved a major milestone when she won the gold medal in the women’s 70 kg event at the 2020 European Judo Championships held in Prague, Czech Republic.
This was an impressive feat as she had to defeat a number of strong opponents from across Europe to take the top spot.
Following her gold medal victory, Margaux Pinot continued her winning streak in 2021 when she competed in the women’s 70 kg event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. This was a huge accomplishment for her, as it put her amongst the top judokas in the world.
Despite the pressure of competing in the Olympics, Margaux Pinot managed to keep her composure and put on a great performance. She ultimately finished her event with an impressive overall result, further cementing her status as one of the best judokas in the world.
5. David Douillet
David Donald Hubert Roger Douillet is a French politician and former judoka. He was born in the city of Rouen in France and has a height of 1.96 meters and a weight of 125 kilograms.
He achieved great success in the sport of judo, notably winning the gold medal in the heavyweight category in both the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta and Sydney respectively.
Douillet first began to train judo when he was 7 years old and his career in the sport spanned almost 20 years. During this time, he won numerous titles including the European Championship in 1995 and the World Championship in 1997.
His Olympic victories cemented his status as one of the greatest judokas of all time, and he was inducted into the International Judo Federation Hall of Fame in 2011. After retiring from judo, Douillet became a French politician and has served as the Minister of Sports from 2002 to 2007.
He also served as the mayor of the city of Rouen from 2008 to 2014 and is currently a member of the French National Assembly. Douillet has been awarded several national and international honours in recognition of his achievements in both judo and politics.
He was awarded the French Legion of Honour in 2008 and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2011. In addition, he has been named a Chevalier of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and a Grand Officer of the Order of the Crown of Belgium.
6. Clarisse Agbegnenou
Clarisse Bogdanna Agbegnenou is a world-renowned French judoka who competes in the −63 kg weight division. She has achieved numerous successes throughout her career, including winning the European title in 2013, the world title in 2014, and an Olympic silver medal in 2016.
Her most impressive accomplishment came at the 2020 Summer Olympics, where she earned an Olympic gold medal in July 2021. Her remarkable skill and determination in the sport have made her one of the most successful French judokas in the world.
Agbegnenou has continued to push herself and inspire young judokas by demonstrating that hard work and dedication can lead to success.
She is an excellent role model for aspiring athletes and continues to be a shining example of what can be achieved through dedication and perseverance.
7. Amandine Buchard
Amandine Buchard is an accomplished French judoka who has achieved great success on the world stage. She competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics, representing her country of France.
During the competition, she demonstrated her superior judo skills, securing a silver medal in the half-lightweight event. Additionally, she participated in the mixed team event and was able to come away with a gold medal.
Her success at the Olympics is a testament to her dedication and hard work. She has trained extensively in judo and has worked hard to improve her skills over the years. Furthermore, Amandine Buchard has also achieved success in other competitions.
She has won several medals in the French National Judo Championships and has also competed in the European Judo Championships. Amandine Buchard is an inspiration to many aspiring judokas.
She has proven that hard work and dedication can pay off, and that success is possible even in the most challenging of circumstances. Her achievements are a reminder that anything is possible and that with the right attitude and determination, anyone can achieve their goals.
8. Automne Pavia
Automne Pavia is a French judoka who achieved success in the 2012 Summer Olympics. She was competing in the -57 kg weight class and started off her journey by beating Sarah Clark, Carli Renzi and Sabrina Filzmoser.
Unfortunately, she then went on to lose to Kaori Matsumoto in the semi-final.
However, Pavia refused to give up and fought hard against Hedvig Karakas in the bronze medal match, eventually emerging victorious and taking home the bronze medal for France. This accomplishment was a major achievement for Pavia, as she was able to show the world her talent and determination despite facing difficult opposition.
Her success also proved that she was a force to be reckoned with in the world of judo. Her win was a major boost for French judo and it was a great moment for the nation to see one of their own succeed on the world stage.
9. Ugo Legrand
Ugo Legrand is a judoka from France who achieved great success in 2012 when he won bronze at the Summer Olympics in the -73 kg weight class. He began his journey to Olympic glory by winning his first two matches against Tomasz Adamiec and Hussein Hafiz.
Unfortunately, his journey was cut short when he lost his quarterfinal against Dex Elmont. However, his outstanding performance in the tournament still earned him a chance to compete in the repechage.
Ugo went on to make the most of his opportunity and secured himself the bronze medal. His success serves as an inspiration to all aspiring judokas as to what level of dedication and commitment is needed to reach the highest levels of the sport.
10. Jean De Herdt
Jean De Herdt was a French judoka who made a name for himself in the judo world. He was the first French student of Mikinosuke Kawaishi, a renowned Judo master who is considered to be the father of Judo in France.
De Herdt was a two-time gold medalist at the European Judo Championships, a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport. His accomplishments further highlighted the influence and legacy of Kawaishi, who was instrumental in introducing Judo to European countries.
De Herdt’s success showed the world the strength of the French Judo team and the potential for greatness in the sport. He was a true pioneer in the Judo world, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of Judokas to come.
11. Christine Cicot
Christine Cicot is an accomplished French judoka. She has achieved remarkable success in her sport, having won an Olympic medal and a World Championship. At the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Cicot won a bronze medal in the heavyweight division.
This was a major accomplishment, and it put Cicot on the world stage. A year later, in 1997, Cicot became world champion in Paris. Having both an Olympic medal and a world championship to her name, Cicot is a true judo legend.
She has been an inspiration to many aspiring judokas across the world. Cicot’s accomplishments demonstrate the power of hard work and dedication. She is a role model for all athletes, showing how dedication and perseverance can lead to success.
With her achievements, she has established a legacy that will be remembered for many generations to come.
12. Émilie Andéol
Émilie Gladwys Andéol is an accomplished French judoka who has enjoyed success at the highest levels of competition. She is currently competing in the women’s 78 kg division and has earned two major medals in her career.
In 2014, she won a gold medal at the European Judo Championships in Montpellier, and a bronze medal at the World Judo Championships in Chelyabinsk. Her greatest success to date came in 2016 when she won the gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
This was a remarkable achievement and a testament to her skill and dedication to the sport of judo. Émilie Gladwys Andéol is a true champion and an inspiration to many aspiring judokas.
13. Nathalie Lupino
Nathalie Lupino is a renowned female judoka from France. She is now retired but was an accomplished judoka during her career.
In 1992, she competed in the Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, where she made history by claiming the bronze medal in the Women’s Heavyweight division.
This accomplishment was made even more impressive by the fact that she had to defeat Germany’s Claudia Weber in the bronze medal match to make it happen. This victory was a huge milestone in both Nathalie’s career and the history of judo.
It is a testament to her hard work and dedication that she was able to reach such a high level of success in the sport.
14. Lucie Décosse
Lucie Décosse is a French female judoka who is now retired. She was born in France and has been involved in judo since an early age. She has achieved much success in the sport, becoming a two-time world champion in 2003 and 2007.
She was also the Olympic Champion in 2008, in the 70 kg category. She is the only French judoka to have achieved Olympic gold.
Lucie Décosse is also the only woman in the history of judo to have won a medal in the World Championships, the European Championships, and the Olympic Games. She was part of the French national team from 1999 to 2012 and is now retired from the sport.
Décosse has also been awarded the “Legion of Honour” by the French government, the highest French order of merit, for her outstanding contribution to judo. She is a member of the International Judo Federation’s Hall of Fame and is considered a sporting icon in France.
In addition to her success in judo, Lucie Décosse has also been involved in several charity initiatives, notably supporting children in need in her native country.
Her success and dedication to the sport of judo has earned her a place in the annals of French and international sporting history.
15. Karima Medjeded
Karima Medjeded is an inspiring example of what an athlete can achieve, despite having a disability. She is a French judoka who is blind, and she was the first person to win a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens.
She competed in the women’s extra-lightweight category in judo, and she proved that her disability was no obstacle to her success. Medjeded was a formidable opponent in the Paralympic competition, as she defeated three consecutive opponents by ippon, which is a full point in judo.
Her opponents included Brazil’s Karla Cardoso, who she beat in the final to become the first-ever Paralympic judo gold medalist. Her success serves as an example that disability should not be a barrier to achieving success.
Medjeded’s strength, skill and determination enabled her to overcome her disability and win a gold medal for France, and her story is an inspiration to many.
Her performance at the 2004 Summer Paralympics has gone down in history, and she will always be remembered for her remarkable achievement.
16. Marie-Claire Restoux
Marie-Claire Restoux is a French judoka with an impressive list of achievements. She was a two-time world champion, having won gold at the 1995 World Judo Championships and again in 1997. In addition, she won a bronze medal at the 1999 World Judo Championships.
Her greatest success came in 1996 when she won a gold medal in the half-lightweight division at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. This was a remarkable accomplishment and cemented her place as one of the best judokas of her time.
She is an inspiration to athletes everywhere, and a reminder of what can be achieved with dedication and hard work.
17. Stéphane Traineau
Stéphane André Michel Traineau is a French judoka who has achieved the remarkable feat of competing at four Olympic Games.
He is considered to be one of the most successful French judokas of all time. Traineau started his judo career in the late 1980s, becoming a member of the French national team in 1989. He went on to become the national champion in 1992 and 1993 and a European champion in 1993.
In 1994, Traineau competed at the World Judo Championships, where he earned a bronze medal. This was an important milestone in his career, and it helped to put him on the international stage. Traineau competed at his first Olympics in 1996, which were held in Atlanta, USA.
He achieved a sixth-place finish in the lightweight division. He then went on to compete at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where he earned a fifth-place finish.
Traineau continued to compete in the lightweight division at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where he finished in thirteenth place.
He went on to compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he earned a fifth-place finish. Traineau’s four Olympic appearances are a testament to his dedication and commitment to the sport of judo.
He is an inspiration to aspiring judokas, showing that it is possible to achieve great success at the highest level of the sport.
Traineau’s accomplishments are a great source of pride for the French judo community, and his legacy will continue to live on for many years to come.
18. Benjamin Darbelet
Benjamin René Pierre Darbelet is a French judoka who has achieved remarkable success in his career. He earned a silver medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the –66 kg category and has since been competing in the –73 kg weight category.
Darbelet is a highly formidable competitor and is known for his technical expertise in judo. He is particularly adept at using a variety of techniques, including te guruma, ouchi gari, harai goshi, osoto gari, and uchi mata.
These techniques require precision and timing, and as such are difficult to execute. Darbelet has mastered them, however, and has been able to use them to great effect in his judo matches.
He has become renowned in France for his judo prowess and is considered one of the best judokas in the country.
19. Bernard Tchoullouyan
Bernard Tchoullouyan was a French judoka who had a successful career in the sport. He achieved the pinnacle of success in 1981 when he won the world title. He also won an Olympic bronze medal in 1980.
On 7 January 2019, Tchoullouyan sadly passed away at the age of 65. Tchoullouyan’s achievements in judo will not be forgotten and his legacy will live on in the sport.
He was an inspiration to many aspiring judokas, showing them that anything is possible if you put in the hard work and dedication. His accomplishments will be remembered for years to come and his memory will be honored by judo practitioners all over the world.
Tchoullouyan’s accomplishments are all the more remarkable in light of the fact that he was a member of the French national judo team for nearly 20 years. He was an important figure in the sport and his dedication to judo is an example for everyone to follow.
He was a model athlete who was respected by his peers and the judo community alike. Bernard Tchoullouyan’s life was an inspiring one and his achievements in judo will not soon be forgotten.
He will always be remembered as a great judoka and as a great example for anyone striving to achieve their goals. His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of judoka everywhere.
20. Audrey Tcheuméo
Audrey Tcheuméo is a highly accomplished French judoka. She achieved a great triumph at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London by winning a bronze medal in the women’s −78 kg event.
Her success at the Olympic Games was not her first medal-winning performance, as she had previously won gold, silver, and bronze medals at the World Judo Championships and European Judo Championships. Recently, her impressive judo career was further bolstered with a gold medal win at the 2022 Judo Grand Slam Paris, held in her home country of France.
This was a momentous occasion for both Tcheuméo and French judo, as she was the first French judoka to win gold at the event since its establishment in 2010. This victory is sure to be remembered for many years to come and adds to her already impressive list of achievements.
21. Gévrise Émane
Gévrise Émane is a highly accomplished French judoka. She is a two-time European champion, having won the title in the women’s 63 kg weight class in 2011 and 2015.
She first burst into the international judo scene after a successful showing in the 2005 World Judo Championships in Cairo, Egypt, where she won the silver medal in the women’s 70 kg weight class.
Since then, Émane has been a regular on the podium, with medals at various European and World championships. She has won multiple gold medals at the European Championships and has been a finalist in the World Championships multiple times.
Émane is a highly respected judoka who has been an inspiration to many aspiring judoka all over the world.
22. Walide Khyar
Walide Khyar is a French judoka who has been competing at the highest levels for years. He competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the men’s 60 kg event, where he was eliminated in the second round by Felipe Kitadai.
Despite this early elimination, Walide continued to practice and compete, and his hard work paid off in 2021 when he won the silver medal at the Judo Grand Slam Antalya, held in Antalya, Turkey.
This was a major accomplishment for Walide and showed that his dedication to the sport had paid off. His success at the tournament proves that he is a formidable foe in the judo world, and he is sure to continue to have success in the future.
23. Madeleine Malonga
Madeleine Malonga is a French judoka who achieved great success at the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan. She won the silver medal in the women’s 78 kg event, an impressive feat that speaks to her strength and skill.
Additionally, she won the gold medal at the mixed team event, a remarkable accomplishment that further demonstrated her talent and sportsmanship. Malonga’s performance at the Olympics was a testament to her dedication and hard work.
She trained for many years to reach the peak of her sport and it paid off. She rose to the challenge of competing against the best athletes in the world and achieved her goals.
Her determination and skill helped her reach the podium and achieve a core medal. Malonga’s success at the 2020 Summer Olympics was a celebration of her commitment and perseverance.
She is an inspiration to aspiring judokas, as she has shown that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. She is an example of what can be accomplished with a strong will and a dedication to excellence.
24. Mélanie Clément
Mélanie Clément is a highly accomplished judoka from France. She recently achieved success at the 2021 European Judo Championships, where she won one of the bronze medals in the women’s 48 kg event. This was held in Lisbon, Portugal.
She is no stranger to the competition, having previously competed in the World Judo Championships in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021. Her accomplishments demonstrate her dedication to the sport and her commitment to achieving excellence.
She is an inspiration to many judokas around the world, showing them that hard work and dedication can lead to great success.
25. Priscilla Gneto
Priscilla Gneto is a French judoka who achieved great success in the sport. She was an Olympic bronze medalist at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, setting an incredible milestone in her career.
On 12 November 2022, Gneto achieved even greater success by winning a gold medal at the 2022 European Mixed Team Judo Championships as a member of the French judo team.
This victory showed Priscilla’s remarkable talent and determination, further solidifying her place in judo history. She has become an inspirational role model for aspiring judokas around the world, proving that hard work and dedication can lead to great success.
26. Stéphane Nomis
Stéphane Nomis is a former French judoka who was born on October 23, 1970, in Versailles. He was part of the French national team from 1990 to 1999 and is currently an entrepreneur.
He is the founder of Ippon Technologies, a company that specializes in technology-related products and services. Additionally, he is involved in various associations and has created the Ippon Foundation, which works to combat the digital divide.
The digital divide refers to the gap between those with access to modern technology and those without, and the Ippon Foundation works to bridge this gap by providing those who are digitally isolated with access to the same technologies many of us take for granted.
Stéphane Nomis is a dedicated individual with a passion for helping those in need, and his work is having a positive effect on the lives of countless people.
27. Sarah-Léonie Cysique
Sarah-Léonie Cysique is an extraordinary athlete who has achieved great success in the sport of judo. She hails from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe and recently won the silver medal in the women’s 57 kg event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
Her performance in the event was truly remarkable, as she was able to defeat numerous competitors from all around the world. In addition to her individual success, Sarah-Léonie was also part of the French team that won the gold medal in the mixed team event.
This was an incredible achievement for the young judoka, as it was her first Olympics and she was able to secure a medal in both events. Sarah-Léonie’s success is a testament to her hard work and dedication to her sport.
She has trained rigorously in order to achieve her high level of performance in judo. Her commitment to the sport is evident in her performances at tournaments, as she consistently puts forth her best effort in order to be successful.
Her hard work and determination have paid off, as she was able to secure a medal in her first Olympics. Sarah-Léonie Cysique is an inspirational athlete who has achieved great success in the sport of judo.
Her commitment to her sport has allowed her to reach the highest level of competition and secure a medal in her first Olympics. She has set an example for young judokas around the world and will continue to be an inspiration for many.
28. Bertrand Damaisin
Bertrand Damaisin is a retired judoka from France who achieved great success during his career. He is best known for taking home a bronze medal in the Men’s Light-Middleweight division at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
In the bronze medal match, he faced off against Sweden’s Lars Adolfsson and emerged victorious, clinching the medal for himself.
This impressive feat cemented his place in the history of judo and France’s Olympic history, as he became the first French judoka to win a medal at the Summer Games.
Damaisin’s commitment to the sport showed even after his retirement, as he continues to be an advocate for judo in France, supporting the growth of the sport and its athletes.
29. Loïc Pietri
Loïc Pietri is a French judoka who is currently competing in the 81 kg weight class. He has been quite successful in his career, winning a world title in 2013. In 2014 he placed third, and in 2015 he placed second.
Unfortunately, at the 2016 Olympics he was eliminated in his first bout. His father, Marcel Pietri, is also a judoka who had a strong career of his own, winning a silver medal at the 1986 European Championships.
This shows that Loïc has a strong lineage of judo success, and it is likely that he will continue to excel in the sport.
30. Djamel Bouras
Djamel Bouras is a French judoka who was born in Algeria. He is a decorated athlete who earned a gold medal in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA.
This impressive achievement put him in the spotlight of the sporting world, as he became the first Algerian athlete to ever win a gold medal in the Olympics. Judoka is a form of martial arts that was developed in Japan in the late 19th century.
It is a combination of striking, grappling and throwing techniques and is considered one of the most difficult and demanding of martial arts.
Djamel Bouras used his years of training and experience to compete in the highest levels of judo, eventually becoming the Olympic champion. Bouras was born in Algeria but moved to France as a young boy.
He was inspired by the judo champions of his homeland, which gave him the motivation to pursue the sport. He trained extensively throughout his teenage years and eventually made it to the Olympic arena.
His victory in the 1996 Atlanta games was a huge accomplishment, not only for Bouras but for Algeria as a whole. His inspiring journey has made him a hero within the sporting world.
His incredible achievements have not only shown the power of hard work and dedication but has also highlighted the potential of Algerian athletes. Bouras has set an example for future generations, showing that anything is possible with enough passion and perseverance.
31. Frédéric Demontfaucon
Frédéric Demontfaucon is a French judoka who has had a very impressive career. He first made an impact on the international stage when he won a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. This success was then followed up by his winning of the 2001 World Championships.
After this, Demontfaucon moved up a weight class, from the -90kg division to the -100kg division, around 2007.
This further demonstrated his skill and prowess, showing that he was not only able to compete at the top level in his previous division but also be successful in a higher-weight class.
In the years since, Demontfaucon has continued to make a name for himself in the judo world, making a lasting impact on the sport.
32. Thierry Rey
Thierry Rey is a French judoka who is a world and olympic champion. He achieved his pinnacle of success in 1980 when he won a gold medal in the extra lightweight division at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.
His success in judo has been passed on to his son, Martin Rey-Chirac, who he had with Claude Chirac, the daughter of the late president of France, Jacques Chirac. Thierry Rey is a respected figure in the judo world and his legacy lives on through his son.
Martin Rey-Chirac continues to honor his father’s legacy by competing in judo tournaments all over the world. Thierry Rey has not only achieved great success in his own sport, but he also has a lasting legacy through his son.
33. Darcel Yandzi
Darcel Yandzi is an athlete from France who has had success in the sport of judo. She competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics, representing her home country. Yandzi’s career as a judoka began at a young age when she began training under the tutelage of her father.
She was able to quickly develop her skills in the sport and, by the time of the 1996 Olympics, she was considered an experienced judoka. At the Olympics, Yandzi competed in the half-middleweight division.
She was able to make it through the preliminary rounds and into the quarterfinals, where she was defeated by eventual gold medalist Clarissa Clare.
Despite her loss, she can still be proud of her performance, as she was one of only a handful of French judokas to qualify for the Olympics in 1996. Since the Olympics, Yandzi has gone on to become a successful judo coach, helping to develop the skills of young judokas.
She has also served on the French Judo Federation and has been part of a number of international judo events. She is an inspiration for judokas everywhere, and her performance at the 1996 Olympics is a testament to her determination and skill.
34. Ferrid Kheder
Ferrid Kheder is a remarkable athlete who has been involved in the world of martial arts for many years. He is a retired French judo Olympian, who earned a remarkable seventh-place finish at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
His success in judo went beyond the Olympics as he was a French judo champion from 1998 to 2000. Kheder also had a successful career as a professional mixed martial artist, competing from 2004 to 2013.
He is known for his unique style, which focused on using judo techniques combined with boxing and wrestling. During his time in the cage, he won four of his six professional bouts.
Kheder’s achievements in both judo and mixed martial arts have earned him a place in the annals of international martial arts. His success in both sports shows that he is a versatile athlete with the ability to adapt to different disciplines.
Ferrid Kheder is a true inspiration for martial arts athletes everywhere.
35. Marc Alexandre
Marc Alexandre is a retired judoka from France who is well-known for having represented his nation at two successive Summer Olympics. He was born in Paris, the capital and largest city of France, in an unspecified year.
Alexandre was an impressive judoka, achieving a great deal of success during his career. He won a bronze medal in the men’s half-heavyweight event at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and then went on to compete at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Despite his best efforts, he was unable to secure a podium finish in Atlanta, although his participation in two consecutive Olympics certainly attests to his talent and dedication to the sport.
After his retirement from judo, Alexandre has remained involved in the sport, working as a coach and mentor to young judokas. His influence has helped to shape the judo landscape in France, and he is one of the most respected figures in the sport.
36. Cécile Nowak
Cécile Nowak is a highly accomplished French judoka who has achieved great success on the international judo stage. She won a gold medal in the extra lightweight division at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, which was an exceptional feat for her age and weight class.
Additionally, Nowak added to her impressive record by winning a gold medal at the 1991 World Judo Championships. This victory was a testament to her skill and dedication to the sport of judo and cemented her legacy as one of the greatest judokas of all time.
Nowak’s long list of achievements has earned her the respect of fellow judokas and fans of the sport across the globe.
37. Benoît Campargue
Benoît Campargue is a French judoka and Olympic athlete. He has competed in the sport of judo for many years and is most notably known for his participation in the 1992 Summer Olympics. During the Olympics, he competed in the men’s half-lightweight event.
This event is a type of judo competition which requires athletes to compete within a specific weight range.
In order to compete in the men’s half-lightweight event, Benoît Campargue had to meet the necessary qualifications and put in the hard work and dedication to make it to the Olympics.
Despite the competition being tough, he was able to make it to the Olympics and prove himself as a strong judoka. He is a testament to the commitment and dedication it takes to become an Olympic athlete.
38. Larbi Benboudaoud
Larbi Benboudaoud is a French judoka who made history in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Competing in the half lightweight division, he was able to secure a silver medal, making him the first French judoka to win a medal in the Olympics.
He made it to the finals where he had to compete against Huseyin Ozkan of Turkey. Despite Larbi’s best efforts, Ozkan was able to defeat him and win the gold medal.
This result was still a major accomplishment for Larbi, as it was the first time that a French judoka had won a medal in the Olympic Games. This feat was a source of pride for the French judo community and was an important milestone in the sport’s history.
Larbi’s impressive performance in the 2000 Olympics was a reminder of the potential of French judokas and served as an inspiration to many judokas all around the world.
39. Séverine Vandenhende
Séverine Vandenhende is an accomplished French judoka who has achieved success on both the Olympic and World Championship stages. She is the proud recipient of both an Olympic gold medal and a World Championship gold medal, both in the half-middleweight division.
At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Vandenhende put on a remarkable performance, winning the gold medal in the half-middleweight division.
This was a momentous occasion for her and France, as it marked their first Olympic gold medal in judo. Four years earlier, Vandenhende had already made history by winning a gold medal at the 1997 World Championships.
This victory was historic because she was the first French female judoka to win a World Championship gold medal. This feat was especially impressive considering Vandenhende had only been competing in judo for a few years.
She had started training in the martial art in 1991 and, within six years, had become a world champion and Olympic champion. Séverine Vandenhende is an incredible judoka who has achieved great things in the sport.
Her Olympic and World Championship gold medals are a testament to her hard work and determination.
40. Fabien Canu
Fabien Canu is an Olympic athlete from France. He is a judoka, meaning he competes in judo, a martial art from Japan. Canu has competed in two Olympic Games, the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles and the 1988 Summer Olympics held in Seoul.
At the 1984 Olympics, Canu competed in the men’s extra-lightweight division, while in Seoul, he participated in the men’s half-lightweight category. Despite his best efforts, Canu was unable to win a medal at either Games.
However, his participation in the Olympics is a testament to his commitment and dedication to judo as an athlete.
41. Kayra Sayit
Kayra Ozdemir is an accomplished judoka from Europe. She was born in France to Turkish parents and is the current European champion in the 78 kg judo division. She grew up in Saint-Brieuc-de-Mauron, a small town in Brittany.
Prior to her marriage to a Turkish man in 2015, Kayra competed for France in judo tournaments. After her marriage, she decided to switch her allegiances and began competing for Turkey. Her success in the sport has been a source of pride for both France and Turkey.
Kayra is a great example of the positive contributions immigrants can make to their host country. She is a shining example of the power of determination and hard work.
Conclusion
The best judo players in France are a testament to the country’s commitment to the sport. Their impressive records and achievements are a testament to their hard work and dedication.
France is a powerhouse in judo, and its best players have shown that they can compete with the best in the world.
