French Judo Team Dominates Qingdao Grand Prix, Tcheuméo Leads the charge with Gold
Qingdao, China – September 28, 2025 – The French judo team, affectionately known as “Les Bleues,” showcased thier formidable talent at the Qingdao Grand Prix this past weekend, bringing home an impressive haul of five medals. Leading the charge was veteran Audrey Tcheuméo, who clinched a dominant gold medal in the +78 kg category, capping off a stellar performance for the French contingent.
This latest success story from the Qingdao Grand Prix underscores the depth and strength of French judo. Out of the six judokas who competed, a remarkable five managed to secure a spot on the podium. This impressive medal count includes earlier bronze finishes from Shirine Boukli in the -48 kg division and Melkia Auchecorne in the -70 kg class. Adding to the french triumph, Manon Deketer secured a gold medal in the -63 kg category, a significant redemption after her recent World Championships in Budapest.
The momentum continued with Léa Fontaine and the seasoned Audrey Tcheuméo adding to the French medal collection. Fontaine, competing in the +78 kg division, earned a silver medal after a hard-fought final against the world’s number one, Hyeonji Lee of South Korea. Lee proved too strong, securing the victory in a swift 36 seconds with a decisive immobilization. Fontaine’s path to the final was impressive, including a quarter-final win against Mongolia’s Nominzul Dambadarjaa, whom she had previously defeated at the Mongolia Grand Slam in July. She also overcame Croatia’s Helena Vukovic in an earlier round.
Tcheuméo’s Resurgence: A Masterclass in Experience
The highlight of the Qingdao Grand Prix for many was the triumphant return of Audrey Tcheuméo. The 2023 World Championship silver medalist in the -78 kg category, who was notably absent from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, demonstrated her enduring class by capturing her eighth career gold medal at a Grand Prix event.
Tcheuméo’s performance was a testament to her experience and resilience. She made a strong comeback after a defeat in montenegro last April, defeating her compatriot Fanny-Estelle Posvite. Her journey to the final saw her dispatch Hongtao Wu of china with an Ippon in the quarter-finals, followed by a skillful Ko-Uchi (inner reaping) throw against South Korea’s Minju Kim in the semi-finals.
The final match pitted Tcheuméo against Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko, a Ukrainian judoka now competing under the banner of the United Arab Emirates. This proved to be a more challenging encounter for the 35-year-old French judoka. However, Tcheuméo’s experience shone through, as she ultimately secured the victory in Golden Score with a decisive Yuko.
Audrey Tcheuméo clinches gold at the Qingdao Grand Prix! A powerful statement from the veteran judoka. #Judo #QingdaoGrandPrix #FrenchJudo
— ArchySports (@ArchySports) September 28, 2025
Reflecting on her victory, Tcheuméo expressed her satisfaction: I feel good. It’s been a long time since I had won a competition since Paris, and I am very happy to win here.
Her words echo the sentiment of a champion who is far from finished.
What This Means for U.S. Judo Fans
The Qingdao Grand Prix results offer a compelling glimpse into the international judo landscape, particularly for American fans who follow the sport closely. The dominance of nations like France highlights the high level of competition that U.S.judokas will face on the global stage.
* Benchmarking Performance: The success of French judokas like Tcheuméo provides a benchmark for American athletes. Understanding how thay prepare, train, and execute their strategies can offer valuable insights for U.S. coaches and athletes aiming for international success.
* Emerging Talent: The performances of younger French judokas like Manon Deketer and Léa Fontaine signal the emergence of new talent. This is a crucial aspect for U.S. judo to monitor as they identify and develop their own next generation of champions.
* Strategic Insights: The article mentions Tcheuméo’s victory over a compatriot in a previous event and her subsequent win against a Ukrainian judoka. This suggests a strategic approach to competition, where understanding opponents and adapting tactics are paramount. For U.S. judo, this emphasizes the importance of robust scouting and tactical preparation.
