Ai Tsunoda-Roustant secured her first world title on Thursday, winning the gold medal in the under-70kg category at the World Judo Championships in Baku. The 24-year-old athlete, who holds French nationality but competes for Spain, triumphed in the final by scoring an ippon against Austrian Michaela Polleres during the golden score period.
A breakthrough performance in Baku
The win marks a significant transition for Tsunoda-Roustant, who had previously found success as a junior competitor with three world titles. Her performance in Baku represents her first major senior world championship victory. Her path to the top of the podium involved a consistent approach, which she described as a focus on “working” rather than entering the mat with fixed expectations of her opponents. Reflecting on her previous struggles in major tournaments, where she was eliminated in the first round twice, she noted, “I am here, it proves that I have this level.”
Balancing training between Spain and Japan
Tsunoda-Roustant’s preparation involves a unique international structure. Born in Spain to a Japanese father, Go Tsunoda, and a French mother, Céline Roustant—both judokas—she currently balances her training between Europe and Japan. She is in her fourth year of university studies in Tokyo, where she credits the Tokai University facilities and her training partners for providing an optimal environment. Her parents continue to oversee her physical preparation and coaching, maintaining daily communication regarding her progress.
Choosing to compete for Spain
Although she holds French nationality and is fluent in French, the new world champion explained her decision to represent Spain, the country of her birth. While she participated in a French youth competition a decade ago for the JC Vanséen in Ardèche, she identifies primarily with her upbringing in Spain. “I am Spanish,” she noted, citing the fact that she completed her entire education in the country as the primary factor in her decision to compete under the Spanish flag. She added that because she never attended a French school, she sometimes feels her French is “strange.”
The impact of the world title
Despite the significance of the gold medal, Tsunoda-Roustant emphasized that the result is part of a broader trajectory rather than a final destination. She rejected the idea that the medal alone defines her success in the sport, noting that she would not have viewed a loss as a failure. Following her victory, she maintained her tradition of saluting her parents, a gesture she performs regardless of the outcome of her matches, highlighting the close personal connection she maintains with her family throughout her professional career.
Tournament results in the under-70kg and under-90kg divisions
The event in Baku saw continued success for the Japanese team. The victory provided Japan with its seventh title of the tournament. In the women’s under-70kg division, alongside Tsunoda-Roustant and Polleres, the bronze medals were awarded to Madina Taimazova and Giovanna Scoccimarro. In the men’s -90kg category, defending world champion Sanshiro Murao emerged victorious in a 100% Japanese final against Goki Tajima, winning by ippon. The division also saw bronze medals awarded to Murad Fatiyev and Boris Rutovis. The day was marked by disappointment for other competitors, including Maxime-Gaël Ngayap Hambou, who narrowly missed out on a medal.
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