“It’s a chance for them to be able to shine,” Frédérique Jossinet, in charge of high level at the French Judo Federation, told AFP.
If Euro-2023 had played a key role in the quest for Olympic tickets, this will not be the case for this Croatian edition, French judo having already completed its selection for Paris.
The names of the 14 elected for the Games are already known and, among them, only Joan-Benjamin Gaba (-73 kg) and Alpha Djalo (-81 kg), who seek to reassure themselves before the Olympic deadline, will be aligned with the Zagreb tatami mats.
Teddy Riner absent from the European Championships
The others, from Teddy Riner to Clarisse Agbégnénou, via Romane Dicko and Luka Mkheidze, preferred to focus on other competitions to best prepare for the big meeting in Paris. Some will, for example, be competing at the World Championships in less than a month in Abu Dhabi (May 19-24).
For most of the Blues present in the Croatian capital, the challenge will therefore be above all to expand their CV.
“Among those selected, there are not many who are European champions. It’s up to them to seize this opportunity that is open to them. European champion, it’s a good line on a list of achievements,” insists Frédérique Jossinet.
“The foot in the stirrup”
Among the women, Blandine Pont, who will not participate in the Games in the -48 kg category, hopes to win a first medal in an international championship, just like Faïza Mokdar, who created a surprise at the beginning of February by winning the Grand Slam in Paris in a beautiful way in -57 kg.
Julia Tolofua, very affected by her non-selection for Paris, can also aim for a first European podium in +78 kg.
On the men’s side, the management of the Blues also took advantage of this Euro to bet on several young people, with the 2028 Games already in the sights, like Romain Valadier-Picard (-60 kg), 21 years old, or heavy Mathéo Akiana Mongo, 17 years old.
“Just after the Paris Games, we will quickly switch to the 2024-2028 Olympiad,” continues Frédérique Jossinet. “We put their foot in the door so that they get into this dynamic. This gives them experience and an opportunity to perform now. »
Finally, in teams, the Blues will try to score points to guarantee a good ranking for the French team during the Games.
2024-04-25 07:01:09
#Judo #Euro #consolation #disappointed #Olympic #race
