Four veteran judoka from the Dol-de-Bretagne region are traveling to Portimão, Portugal, to compete in the European Veterans Judo Championships running from Thursday through Sunday, ouest-france.fr reported.
Portimão Welcomes European Contenders
The continental tournament gathers veteran athletes from across Europe to face competitors within their respective age and weight brackets. Judo instructor Thomas Guézennec outlined the collective ambition of the delegation as they prepare to take the tatami against the continent’s top masters-division fighters.
Representing the local clubs on the international stage are four dedicated competitors from the region. Kévin Gaudin, who serves as president of the judo club in Dol, competes in the M2 division for athletes under 100 kilograms. Cyrille Legoff enters the M5 division under 90 kilograms, while Alexandre Castro fights in the M1 division under 90 kilograms. Both Legoff and Castro are licensed with Kaizoku Judo, a regional federation uniting clubs across Dol, Cancale Saint-Malo, Plouer-sur-Rance, Saint-Méloir, and Pleurtuit.
Experience and International Pedigree
Among the travelers, Édith Hélary brings the most extensive international championship background to the group. Licensed with another club in the Ille-et-Vilaine department, Hélary competes in the F7 category for athletes under 57 kilograms.
Guézennec noted that Hélary stands out as the only member of the traveling quartet with prior experience at this tier of competition. Her recent track record includes a third-place finish at the European championships last year, followed by another bronze medal at the world championships weeks prior to the Portimão event.
Broader Regional Training Initiatives
While the region’s competitors focus on their matches in Portugal, administrative efforts continue back home to support coaching development. The Ligue de Bretagne de Judo, operating in coordination with the French Judo Federation, is managing the final allocation period for the 2026 apprenticeship tax campaign, judo-bretagne.ffjudo.com reported.
Employers have until October 21, 2026, to allocate their tax funds through the official SOLTéA platform to support the BPJEPS Judo-Jujitsu training program. This funding stream helps develop professional coaching pathways across Breton clubs, ensuring ongoing instruction for future generations of martial artists in the region.
The Pursuit of Regional Pride
For the athletes stepping onto the mats in Portugal, the tournament serves as recognition of years of personal commitment, training discipline, and steady perseverance. Guézennec emphasized that beyond individual podium aspirations, the journey offers a distinct platform to showcase the strength of local clubs and elevate regional representation internationally.
Competition matches run in Portugal, with the delegation aiming to translate their preparation into strong performances across their respective weight divisions.
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