French judoka Shirine Boukli claimed the bronze medal in the extra-lightweight division at the World Judo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, finishing on the third step of the podium after targeting the gold medal, according to a report published by lefigaro.fr. The tournament marked her second career world championship medal, adding to a competitive season that included a European title earlier in the year.
Reflecting on a Hard-Fought Bronze in Baku
Boukli expressed satisfaction with her performance at the international competition, despite falling short of her ultimate objective. “I am very happy. Frankly, I am happy and really proud of what I was able to accomplish today,” Boukli told lefigaro.fr. She described the tournament as a demanding mental battle against both herself and elite opponents determined to win.
Although she acknowledged disappointment over missing out on the top of the podium, the French athlete emphasized that the bronze medal validated months of grueling training. “I certainly came for the gold. But bronze is enough for me because I come from a season where I really worked hard and it didn’t pay off at certain moments when I believed in it,” Boukli stated, as reported by lefigaro.fr.
Boukli Reflects on Quarterfinal Penalties and Composure
The journey to the podium included a setback in the quarterfinals against Marina Vorobeva, where penalties proved decisive. Boukli admitted she lost her composure briefly during the bout. “I think I acted a bit stupidly there. Afterwards, that happens, that’s also the difficulty of a championship, you have to know how to stay lucid and sometimes we have attitudes that aren’t necessarily good,” she told lefigaro.fr, adding that penalties remain an inherent part of competitive judo.
Looking ahead to future competitions, Boukli views the bronze as a stepping stone in her long-term athletic development. “At some point, it will be my turn, I have no doubt about it. I will never doubt it, I know I work hard for that. Right now it’s bronze, but little by little I’m creating my moment, I’m improving, I see myself progressing,” she said.
Upcoming Schedule on the Road to Los Angeles
With the Baku championships concluded, Boukli plans a brief period of rest before returning to the international circuit. Her competitive calendar features the Masters tournament scheduled from December 18 to 20, followed by the Grand Slam in Paris from February 5 to 7, 2027, as she pursues a sixth European title.
These events form part of a structured preparation path leading toward the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. “All of that, we know it’s on the way to this famous title of Olympic champion. That’s why everything is good to take. These are benchmarks, it’s work. I have to go through this if I want to be in gold in Los Angeles,” Boukli told lefigaro.fr.
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