Romane Dicko is reassured. After a failed 2023 World Championship in Doha and a coronation at the Masters in Budapest last August, the Frenchwoman, already titled in Sofia in 2022, once again climbed to the roof of Europe in the category of over 78 kilos, coming defeated the Israeli Raz Hershko on ippon in Montpellier.
The judokate, member of PSG judo, quadruple European champion, thus gains valuable points in the race for selection for the Olympic Games, facing her main competitor Julia Tolofua, vice-world champion in Qatar but not selected for these Championships due to right shoulder surgery last September.
Complicated Sunday for the Blues
Except for Romane Dicko, this Sunday was quite dull for the French delegation. Of the six French people entered during this last day of the European Championships, only the 24-year-old judokate brought home a medal. Madeleine Malonga (-78 kgs) came out as soon as she entered the competition against the young Ukrainian Lytvynenko (19 years old), while Audrey Tcheuméo was eliminated in the quarter-finals in the same category.
Among the men, Axel Clerget (-90kgs) and Aurélien Diesse (-100kg) were also eliminated very early respectively against Mihael Zgank and world No. 3 Michael Korrel. Beaten in the quarter-finals by the reigning Olympic champion, Lasha Bekauri on ippon after winning his first two fights, Alexis Mathieu (-90kgs) was also defeated in the repechage against Mansur Lorsanov and was unable to fight for bronze . The Blues will therefore have won nine medals, including 5 gold during these European Championships.
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