Masterful Clarisse Agbégnénou ! By signing Wednesday, his fifth title of World Champion from judo, the adjutant of the National Gendarmerie enters a little more into the legend of French sport. In a few weeks, she could simply become a global icon if successful in Tokyo. Olympic gold is the only title missing from his immense career. “I have two goals left, I won one knowing that I was not supposed to do the World Championships so I’m happy to come away with the five stars”, she said after this fifth world crown.
She wants everything: the Worlds and the Olympics
Indeed, after showing a “manita” to symbolize his five world titles, Clarisse Agbégnénou did not hide his emotion. “I’m proud, proud of what I’m doing this year which is complicated, tough enough for me. I am moved because it is a difficult year ”.
Yet on the tatami mats in Budapest, Hungary, the champion left no room for doubt. His five fights have all been won on ippon. “I motivated myself, I was not afraid. Like every time I take part in a competition, I go there 100%. I wanted to have all or nothing: so the World and the Games or nothing ”, she confessed.
Go find the missing star
Five world titles, including four in a row: the performance is immense. However, Clarisse Agbégnénou will only later measure the scope of his feat. In a few weeks, it’s the Tokyo Games. And the judokate of the National Gendarmerie is already turned towards this objective. “It’s too early to say what the fifth title represents. I don’t know if I would have the one I miss (Olympic gold) in Tokyo so I would rather go and get five (world) first and then go get the missing star ”, she adds.
Read also: Warrant Officer Clarisse Agbégnénou in the running to be France’s flag bearer at the Tokyo Olympics
A complicated year with the health crisis
Even if the successes are there, Clarisse Agbégnénou admits having gone through complicated periods in recent months. Like all top athletes, his daily life has been disrupted by the health crisis. Starting with the postponement of the Olympics a year ago. “I haven’t been seen much this year because for me the postponement of the Games was very difficult, it was a massive blow. So I had to re-mobilize and it wasn’t easy. Many people supported me, I went several times to Reunion, and I thank them for welcoming me and giving back the smile and the warmth. I see that I am on the right path ”, she concludes.
F.S.
