French para-judo star Hélios Latchoumanaya secured his third world title on Saturday, September 26, defeating Brazil’s Marcelo Casanova in the under-95kg J2 final for visually impaired athletes at the World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. Latchoumanaya claimed victory on the ground via ippon following an immobilisation, mirroring the tactical sequence he used against the same opponent during the semifinal of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Path to the Tbilisi World Championship Final
The 26-year-old French judoka dominated the tournament bracket in Tbilisi. Prior to the gold-medal match, Latchoumanaya eliminated Moldova’s Nicolai Bondarev in the quarterfinals with an ippon secured in just 36 seconds through efficient ground work. He then advanced past Kazakhstan’s Zhanbota Amanzhol in the semifinals before overcoming Casanova.
Overcoming Injury Setbacks to Reclaim Global Leadership
This latest gold medal highlights a successful return to peak form following a turbulent medical timeline. A shoulder injury forced Latchoumanaya to miss the 2025 World Championships, and a subsequent hand fracture sidelined him from March until mid-June 2026.
:quality(80)/outremer%2F2026%2F09%2F28%2F6abaa46630be1560704705.jpg "Photo: la1ere.franceinfo.fr")
Upon his return to the tatamis, Latchoumanaya captured gold at the São Paulo Grand Prix in mid-July. One month later, in August 2026, he secured his fourth individual European title in Heidelberg, Germany, before consolidating his global leadership in Tbilisi.
“These World Championships were the starting point for qualification for the Los Angeles Olympic Games,” Latchoumanaya noted to La Première. “I now have a real picture of the balance of power and I am starting in the best possible way.”
Evolution to the Under-95kg Category
Following his silver-medal finish in the under-90kg division at the Paris 2024 Paralympics—and a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2021 Games—Latchoumanaya moved up to the under-95kg category. The adjustment aligns more closely with his natural fighting weight, allowing him to avoid a severe weight cut.
With world titles previously collected in 2022 and 2023, his victory in Georgia adds to an extensive competitive record that features three world crowns and four individual European titles.
Broader Success for the French Delegation
Latchoumanaya’s gold medal marked the third podium finish for the French delegation at the Tbilisi World Championships. The performance builds on bronze medals secured on Friday by Cyril Jonard and Sandrine Martinet, highlighting the depth of French para-judo ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.
Related reading
