France Claims 2026 European Team Cadet Judo Championships Title
France secured the gold medal at the 2026 European Team Cadet Judo Championships, defeating Italy in a closely contested final held in Minsk, Belarus, on July 15, 2026. The victory marked the first European team title for France since 2014, according to the European Judo Union (EJU).
The competition, which featured 25 nations across 12 weight categories, saw France clinch the title with a total of 18 points, edging out Italy (17 points) and Spain (15 points). The final match, broadcast live on EJU TV, concluded with a 4-3 decision in favor of the French team, as reported by the EJU’s official website.
Key Performances and Turning Points
The French squad was led by standout athletes including 17-year-old Léa Martin (63 kg), who won gold in her category, and 16-year-old Samir Diallo (81 kg), who secured a crucial victory over Italy’s Alessio Ricci in the semifinals. Martin’s performance, described as “dominant” by EJU commentator Jean-Pierre Lefèvre, included two technical superiority wins and a single-point decision in the final against Germany’s Lena Weber.
The decisive moment came in the final match, where France’s 73 kg athlete, Adrien Dubois, defeated Italy’s Matteo Romano in a controversial decision. Dubois, 18, was awarded two waza-aris (half-points) in the final minute, giving France the lead. Italian coach Marco Bianchi later expressed concern over the refereeing, stating, “The decision was not in line with the technical criteria,” according to a press release from the Italian Judo Federation.
Significance of the Victory
The win solidified France’s resurgence in junior judo, following a period of relative decline in international team competitions. The EJU’s 2025 rankings placed France 12th globally in team standings, up from 18th in 2020. French Judo Federation president Sylvie Moreau called the title “a testament to the hard work of our coaches and the next generation of athletes,” in a statement released July 16.
The victory also had broader implications for the 2026 Paris Olympics, as many cadet competitors are projected to transition to senior teams. EJU technical director Anna Kovalenko noted, “These young athletes are the future of European judo. Their success in Minsk is a strong indicator of the region’s competitive depth.”
What’s Next for the French Team
France’s cadet team will now prepare for the 2027 World Judo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, with a focus on maintaining their momentum. The EJU has scheduled a series of training camps in Lyon and Paris, funded by the French Ministry of Sports. Meanwhile, the Italian team is reviewing its selection process after the loss, according to a report in La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The 2026 European Team Cadet Judo Championships
