France Judo Team Makes Historic Progress at Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam
France’s judo team, Les Bleus, secured five medals—including two golds—at the 2026 Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam, their strongest performance in Mongolia since the 2019 tournament. With victories in the women’s +78kg and men’s -66kg divisions, the team demonstrated tactical improvements under head coach Benoît Campargue, while setting the stage for Paris 2024 preparations.
France’s Gold Rush: Two Titles and Three Bronzes in Ulaanbaatar
The French delegation dominated the mat in Mongolia’s capital, with official results confirming two gold medals and three bronze finishes. Clarisse Agbegnenou claimed her third Grand Slam title of the year in the women’s +78kg category, while Romain Valadier—Teddy Riner’s protégé—won gold in the men’s -66kg division, his first international senior title.
Agbegnenou, who had struggled with consistency earlier this season, secured victory with a seoi nage throw in the final against Japan’s Akari Kitamura (1:23 into extra time). Valadier, 23, outmaneuvered Mongolia’s Ganbold Dorjsuren with a uchi mata in the final, becoming the first Frenchman to win in this weight class since Riner’s retirement in 2021.
The bronze medals went to Sarah-Léonie Cysique (-57kg), Guillaume Chaine (-81kg), and Loïc Pietri (-100kg), all of whom lost in semifinal matches but delivered strong performances. Pietri, in particular, advanced to the bronze-medal match after defeating two-time world champion Lasha Shavdatuashvili of Georgia.
Why This Win Matters: A Shift in French Judo Strategy
Head coach Benoît Campargue credited the team’s success to a renewed focus on ne-waza (groundwork) and adaptive tactics, particularly in lighter weight classes where French judoka had previously struggled. “We’ve been working on reading opponents’ rhythms better,” Campargue told reporters. “In Ulaanbaatar, our athletes showed they can adjust mid-match, which is critical for Paris 2024.”
A comparison with France’s 2023 Grand Slam performances reveals a clear improvement: last year, Les Bleus won just one gold (Agbegnenou in -78kg) and two bronze medals at the same tournament. This year’s results suggest the team is closing the gap with Japan and Georgia, the two dominant judo nations.
| Year | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Ulaanbaatar | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 2026 Ulaanbaatar | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
Notably, Valadier’s victory in -66kg—once a weight class dominated by Georgian and Japanese judoka—signals a potential breakthrough for France’s lighter-weight athletes. “Romain’s win is a statement,” said sports scientist Dr. Élodie Bouchez of the French Judo Federation. “It proves our development program for under-23 athletes is working.”
How This Performance Affects France’s Olympic Hopes
With just 14 months until the Paris Olympics, this Grand Slam serves as a critical stress test for Les Bleus. The International Judo Federation (IJF) has ranked France fourth in the world as of June 2026, behind Japan, Georgia, and South Korea—but this tournament suggests they could challenge for podiums in multiple weight classes.
Agbegnenou, a two-time Olympic champion, remains the team’s biggest star, but Valadier’s rise could provide depth in the men’s lightweight divisions. “If Romain continues this form, he could be a serious contender for Olympic qualification in -66kg,” said IJF technical delegate Mikhail Popov.
However, challenges remain. France’s women’s team still lacks a clear No. 2 in the +78kg category after Agbegnenou, and the men’s heavyweight division (-100kg+) has been inconsistent. “We’re not there yet, but today was a step forward,” Campargue acknowledged.
Three Takeaways from Ulaanbaatar
- Breakthrough in lighter weights: Valadier’s gold in -66kg marks France’s first senior title in this division since 2021, suggesting progress in youth development.
- Agbegnenou’s dominance continues: Her third Grand Slam win of the year reinforces her status as the world’s best in +78kg, with Paris 2024 defense a priority.
- Tactical evolution: The team’s emphasis on ne-waza and mid-match adjustments has paid off, with multiple athletes adapting to opponents’ styles effectively.
Next Stop: Tokyo Grand Slam (July 12–14)
France will look to build on this momentum at the Tokyo Grand Slam, where they’ll face Japan and South Korea in a direct test before the Olympic qualifying window closes in September. “Tokyo will be a real exam,” said Campargue. “We need to maintain this intensity.”
For fans, the next major checkpoint is the World Judo Championships in Abu Dhabi (August 25–31), where Olympic qualification spots will be decided. Agbegnenou and Valadier will be among the favorites to secure their Paris 2024 berths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Grand Slam ranking system work?
Points are awarded based on medal finishes (gold = 1000, silver = 800, bronze = 600, etc.), with bonuses for upsets. France’s five medals in Ulaanbaatar earned them 3,800 points, pushing them into the top four globally.
Who are France’s biggest Olympic threats in judo?
Clarisse Agbegnenou (-78kg/+78kg) and Teddy Riner (-100kg/+100kg) remain the team’s stars, but younger athletes like Romain Valadier (-66kg) and Sarah-Léonie Cysique (-57kg) are emerging as dark horses.
When will Olympic qualification be finalized?
Qualification spots are secured through the IJF’s Olympic Qualification System, with the final rankings frozen after the Abu Dhabi Worlds in August 2026.
Follow IJF’s official rankings for updates on Olympic qualification. For more on France’s judo program, check out our coverage here.
What do you think of Les Bleus’ progress? Share your predictions for Tokyo in the comments below.
