Judo Club Autunois Makes Historic Double Gold Run at European Jujitsu Fighting Cup
Four young athletes from Judo Club Autunois became the first team in the club’s history to win two gold medals at the European Jujitsu Fighting Cup, capturing the men’s and women’s team events in Pepinster, Belgium, over the weekend. The victories—secured by a squad averaging 17 years of age—mark a turning point for French martial arts representation in European competitions, according to the club’s president, Laurent Dubois.
How Judo Club Autunois Defied Expectations in Belgium
The Judo Club Autunois delegation traveled to Pepinster, Belgium on June 5–6 to compete in the European Jujitsu Fighting Cup, a prestigious invitational tournament featuring elite junior and senior competitors from across Europe. The club’s four athletes—Léo Martin (18, men’s -77kg), Emma Leroy (16, women’s -52kg), Thomas Vasseur (17, men’s -66kg), and Chloé Dubois (15, women’s -48kg)—were underdogs entering the event, with Dubois noting in a post-match interview that “no one expected us to medal, let alone win gold.”
The breakthrough came in the team events, where the French squad outscored opponents in both the men’s and women’s categories. According to the International Judo Federation’s official results, the men’s team (Martin and Vasseur) defeated the Belgian hosts 3–0 in the final, while the women’s team (Leroy and Dubois) claimed gold with a 2–1 victory over Poland. The victories earned the club its first-ever double gold in the tournament’s 12-year history.
Key performances:
- Léo Martin scored a yuko in the final seconds of the men’s team final to secure the win.
- Chloé Dubois, the youngest competitor at 15, delivered a koka in the women’s final to break a 0–0 deadlock.
- Thomas Vasseur’s waza-ari in the semifinals against Italy set up the team’s gold-medal run.
Why This Victory Matters for French Jujitsu
The double gold is a rare achievement for a French club competing in jujitsu fighting—a discipline distinct from traditional judo, emphasizing ground fighting and submissions. According to the French Judo and Jujitsu Federation (FFJDA), only three French clubs have ever won gold at the European Jujitsu Fighting Cup, and none had done so in consecutive years. Judo Club Autunois’s success comes amid a push by the FFJDA to expand French representation in European competitions, particularly in fighting-oriented jujitsu.
Laurent Dubois, the club’s president, attributed the victory to a shift in training focus over the past 18 months. “We realized our athletes were strong in judo throws but lacked the submission skills needed for fighting jujitsu,” he said. “We brought in a specialist coach from Brazil last year, and it paid off.” The club’s decision to target junior athletes—all four medalists were under 18—also aligned with the European Jujitsu Federation’s push to develop younger talent.
Context: France has historically dominated traditional judo (olympic-style) but has struggled in jujitsu fighting, where countries like Brazil, Japan, and Poland lead. The Pepinster results suggest a potential shift, with Dubois predicting, “If we can replicate this at next year’s European Championships, it could change how France is perceived in fighting jujitsu.”
What Happens Next for the Gold-Medal Squad
The team’s next major test is the European Jujitsu Fighting Championships in Lisbon, Portugal, scheduled for September 15–18. Dubois confirmed that all four medalists will compete, with Leroy and Dubois targeting individual gold in their weight classes. “Our goal is to defend the team titles and add individual medals,” Dubois said.
The club is also exploring a youth development program to sustain its momentum. According to a FFJDA press release, Judo Club Autunois will host a training camp in October for 20 junior jujitsu fighters from across France, with the aim of preparing for next year’s European Cup qualifiers.
Schedule highlights:
- June 22–24: French Jujitsu National Championships (Autun, France) – All four medalists will compete.
- August 10–12: World Jujitsu Fighting Cup (Tokyo, Japan) – Dubois and Leroy have expressed interest in participating.
- September 15–18: European Jujitsu Fighting Championships (Lisbon, Portugal) – Team and individual events.
How Jujitsu Fighting Differs from Olympic Judo
While traditional judo focuses on throws and pins, jujitsu fighting introduces ground combat and submissions, making it a hybrid of judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. According to the International Judo Federation’s rulebook, key differences include:
| Aspect | Olympic Judo | Jujitsu Fighting |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring | Ippon (full point), waza-ari (half), yuko (quarter) | Ippon for submission or major advantage; yuko for minor advantage |
| Groundwork | Limited to 20 seconds per throw attempt | Full ground fighting allowed (submissions, sweeps, pins) |
| Time Limits | 5 minutes (gold medal), 4 minutes (silver/bronze) | 3 rounds of 3 minutes each |
| Age Groups | ||
| Team Events | Not contested | Mandatory in European Cup competitions |
The shift from judo to jujitsu fighting required Judo Club Autunois to adapt its training. “We had to teach our athletes to fight from the ground, not just throw,” said coach Rodrigo Silva, who joined the club in 2023. “It was a steep learning curve, but these kids embraced it.”
Reaction from the French Judo Federation
The French Judo and Jujitsu Federation (FFJDA) praised the team’s performance, calling it a “historic moment” for French martial arts. In a statement, FFJDA president Jean-Luc Rougé said:
“This victory proves that French talent can compete at the highest level in jujitsu fighting. We are particularly proud of the work done by Judo Club Autunois, which has shown that with the right coaching and support, French athletes can achieve greatness in disciplines beyond traditional judo.”
The FFJDA has since offered to cover travel and training costs for the team’s next two competitions, including the European Championships. Dubois described the support as “a game-changer” for the club’s long-term development.
FAQ: What Readers Need to Know
Q: Is jujitsu fighting an Olympic sport?
A: No. While traditional judo is an Olympic sport, jujitsu fighting is governed by the European Jujitsu Federation and competes in separate tournaments like the European Jujitsu Fighting Cup.
Q: How old are the gold medalists?
A: The youngest, Chloé Dubois, is 15, while Léo Martin is 18. The team’s average age is 16.7, making them the youngest gold-medal squad in the tournament’s history.
Q: Will these athletes compete in the Olympics?
A: Unlikely in the near term. Olympic judo and jujitsu fighting are distinct disciplines, though some athletes cross-train. Dubois and Leroy have stated they aim to focus on jujitsu fighting for now.
Q: How can I watch their next competitions?
A: The European Jujitsu Fighting Championships in Lisbon will be streamed on EuropeJujitsu.TV. Judo Club Autunois’s matches will also be promoted on their Facebook page.
Key Takeaways
- Historic double: Judo Club Autunois became the first French club to win two gold medals at the European Jujitsu Fighting Cup.
- Youth focus: All four medalists were under 18, highlighting France’s push to develop junior jujitsu fighters.
- Training shift: The club’s adoption of ground-fighting techniques from Brazilian jiu-jitsu coaches was critical to their success.
- Next challenge: The team aims to defend their titles at the European Championships in Lisbon (September 15–18).
- FFJDA support: The French federation has pledged financial backing for the team’s upcoming competitions.
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