This morning, Madeleine Malonga lost to the Italian Alice Bellandi on an o-soto-gari (mowing), leading to the disappointment of the 2019 world champion. This afternoon, she won the penalties against the Korean Lee Jeong-yung. Yet trailing, the Frenchwoman, 8th in the world rankings, saw her opponent disqualified after three sanctions.
At 30, the Francilienne, 2021 world vice-champion, adds a new line to her list of achievements before competing in the Olympic Games in her country this summer. The judo events will take place from July 27 to August 4 at the Arena du Champ-de-Mars. The Tricolore will be part of the French judo team for the Paris games, after the validation of the CNOSF on Friday April 12 which put an end to its remote duel with Tcheuméo. ” I feel relieved. This is a step forward. Now, focus on my day of competition,” she told the Olympics website after the announcement. Malonga will enter the tatami on August 1 in the -78 kg category.
In the same category, Audrey Tcheuméo failed to reach the podium in Abu Dhabi. The Frenchwoman, titled world champion – 78 kg in April and not selected for the Paris Games, lost the second match for the bronze medal. The French judokate thought she could hold the victory against the British Emma Reid thanks to an ippon, but her opponent responded by holding the pose longer according to the referee. Cruel result for the 34-year-old athlete, already frustrated by her non-selection for the Olympics.
