The Paris Saint-Germain Judo team secured its third mixed team Champions League title in Paris, defeating Red Star Belgrade in a closely contested final while competing without several of their top-tier athletes.
Paris Saint-Germain Secures Third Champions League Title
Paris Saint-Germain claimed the European mixed team crown on Saturday in Paris following a tense final against Serbia’s Red Star Belgrade. Despite missing key competitors due to injuries and personal departures, the capital club won their third straight continental title in the discipline.
Roster Depleted by Injuries and Departures Before the Tournament
The defending champions entered the competition facing significant personnel shortages. Teddy Riner remained sidelined during his recovery from an shoulder injury, while Marie-Eve Gahié was unavailable due to an injury in the under-70kg division. Faïza Mokdar, who had been ranked second globally in the under-57kg category, recently stepped away from her career for personal reasons.
To compensate for these absences, coaching staff integrated younger and out-of-division athletes into the lineup. Junior competitor Clarisse Carillon stepped up to face opponents in the under-57kg weight class, while Manon Deketer shifted up to compete in the under-70kg category. Young European junior champion Kevin Nzuzi Diasivi also joined the squad, squaring off against Olympic champion Zelym Kotsoiev of Azerbaijan in the under-100kg division.
Decisive Bouts and Final Victory Over Red Star Belgrade
Romane Dicko and Joan-Benjamin Gaba, both returning from the world championships held earlier in the month in Baku, anchored the team alongside Dayyan Boulemtafes, who secured a bronze medal in Azerbaijan. Boulemtafes opened the competition with consecutive victories in the preliminary rounds against Russian opposition and Sainte-Geneviève Sport.
In the final against Red Star Belgrade—led by former world champion Nemanja Majdov—the Serbian side pushed Paris to the brink, holding a match point via world medalist Marica Perisic. However, Brazilian newcomer Shirlen Nascimento secured a vital win by countering Perisic during the golden score period. The tie ultimately fell to Joan-Benjamin Gaba, who sealed the overall victory with a decisive performance.
Reactions From Club Leadership and Athletes
Club president Djamel Bouras acknowledged the challenging circumstances surrounding the event, noting that the team was not at its full statistical strength on the mats. Speaking after the final, Bouras emphasized that the victory stemmed from collective effort and team spirit rather than an ideal roster configuration.
Teddy Riner observed the matches from the sidelines, praising the squad’s resilience and competitive drive. Following this Champions League victory, members of the Paris Saint-Germain judo contingent turn their focus toward upcoming international events, including the tournament in Abu Dhabi and the European mixed team championships scheduled for November.
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