In a quiet dojo nestled in the rolling hills of eastern France, 17-year-old Gaëtan Devaux knelt on the tatami last week as his coach draped a black belt around his waist. The moment marked the culmination of nearly a decade of training at US Mérey S.S. Montrond, one of the region’s most respected judo clubs, and a personal milestone in a sport that demands both physical prowess and mental discipline.

The Journey to Black Belt

Devaux’s path to the black belt—a rank achieved by fewer than 5% of judoka in France—began at age 8 when he first stepped onto the mats at US Mérey’s dojo in Les Monts-Ronds, a village of 500 residents in the Doubs department. Under the guidance of head coach Jacky Carrez, a former regional champion, Devaux progressed through the club’s rigorous grading system, which includes three technical exams (UV 1-3) and a combat efficiency test (UV 4).

“The black belt isn’t just about technique,” Carrez told club officials during the grading ceremony. “It’s about resilience, respect, and the ability to adapt under pressure. Gaëtan has shown all of that.”

Devaux’s final exam, held on April 21, 2026, required him to demonstrate 12 advanced throws (nage-waza), five groundwork techniques (ne-waza), and a series of randori (free sparring) sessions against higher-ranked opponents. The judging panel, which included representatives from the French Judo Federation (FFJudo), awarded him the rank after a unanimous vote.

Why This Matters for French Judo

Devaux’s achievement arrives at a pivotal moment for judo in France. The sport, which originated in Japan but has deep roots in Europe, is experiencing a youth surge in the country. According to FFJudo’s 2025 annual report, junior membership (ages 14-18) grew by 8% last year, with clubs like US Mérey leading the charge in rural development. The federation’s recent delegation of Para Judo Adapté—a program for athletes with disabilities—further underscores its commitment to inclusivity, a value Devaux embodies.

“Young judoka like Gaëtan are the future of our sport,” said Stéphane Henriot-Colin, president of US Mérey. “His success inspires others in our club and across the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.”

The club, which fields teams in both judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, has seen a 20% increase in cadet (under-18) participation since 2024. Devaux’s black belt comes on the heels of US Mérey’s strong performance at the Championnat BFC Cadets on April 26, where the club’s team finished third in their division.

What’s Next for Devaux

With his black belt secured, Devaux now sets his sights on competitive judo. His immediate goal? Qualifying for the Championnat de France par Équipes de Clubs, a first-division team tournament scheduled for May 1 at the Grand Dôme in Paris. The event, which features gender-balanced squads, will be a proving ground for Devaux as he transitions from junior to senior-level competition.

“I seek to test myself against the best in France,” Devaux said in a brief interview after his grading. “The black belt is just the beginning.”

His coach is equally ambitious. “Gaëtan has the potential to compete at the national level,” Carrez said. “If he stays focused, we’ll spot him on the podium at the Grand Slam Douchanbé in Tajikistan next year.” The tournament, one of the sport’s most prestigious outside the Olympics, is slated for May 1-3, 2027.

The Bigger Picture: Judo’s Growth in Rural France

US Mérey’s success story is part of a broader trend in French judo. Whereas Paris and Lyon dominate the sport’s elite circuits, smaller clubs in regions like Bourgogne-Franche-Comté are becoming incubators for talent. The club’s recent initiatives—including a master class with Kelvin Ray, a former European champion, on May 24—aim to bridge the gap between rural and urban judo.

For Devaux, the black belt is more than a personal triumph. It’s a symbol of the sport’s grassroots strength in France, where judo is the third-most practiced martial art after karate and taekwondo. As FFJudo president Stéphane Nomis noted in a 2025 interview, “The next generation of French judoka won’t just come from the considerable cities. They’ll come from places like Les Monts-Ronds.”

Key Takeaways

• Milestone Achieved: Gaëtan Devaux, 17, earned his black belt in judo at US Mérey S.S. Montrond, a club in Les Monts-Ronds, France.
• Rigorous Process: The black belt required three technical exams, a combat efficiency test, and a unanimous vote from FFJudo judges.
• Club Growth: US Mérey has seen a 20% increase in cadet participation since 2024, reflecting judo’s rising popularity in rural France.
• Next Steps: Devaux aims to compete in the Championnat de France par Équipes de Clubs on May 1, 2026.
• Broader Impact: His achievement highlights the role of small clubs in developing elite judoka outside France’s major cities.

How to Follow Devaux’s Journey

Fans can track Devaux’s progress through the following official channels:

• US Mérey S.S. Montrond’s official website (for club news and event schedules)
• French Judo Federation (FFJudo) (for national rankings and tournament results)
• International Judo Federation (IJF) (for global judo news and Grand Slam events)

What’s Next?

Devaux’s first major test as a black belt comes on May 1 at the Championnat de France par Équipes de Clubs in Paris. The tournament, which pits France’s top clubs against each other in a team format, will be streamed live on France.tv Sport.

For now, the young judoka is back on the mats in Les Monts-Ronds, preparing for the next challenge. As he told club members after his grading, “The black belt is just the start. The real work begins now.”