“It’s a bit of a surprise for me,” Victoria Sibille said of her rapid resurgence. The Namur-born IGW judoka has secured a surprise qualification for the upcoming world championships in the under-48kg weight category, joining fellow young talents Loïs Petit and Maëlys Dapa in a division highlighting Belgium’s burgeoning depth in the lightweight class.
Two Years of Medical Setbacks
Sibille’s path to the global stage required rebounding from a grueling medical timeline that wiped out her 2025 season entirely. She suffered a wrist injury in January 2025 that necessitated two separate surgeries before she could return to training in November of that year.
Her comeback proved short-lived. Sibille sustained a knee injury at the Open d’Herstal in January 2026 during her very first tournament back. That fresh setback forced another four to five months on the sidelines, delaying her return to competition until May 2026.
Medals in Tallinn, Sarajevo and Lausanne
“I didn’t expect to come back so quickly after my injuries. I didn’t expect to get results in my first competitions,” the 81st-ranked judoka in the under-48kg division said.
Despite missing significant chunks of competitive mat time, Sibille quickly made her presence felt on the senior international circuit. On June 7, she claimed a bronze medal at the European Open in Tallinn. Exactly one month later, she followed up with a silver medal at the European Open in Sarajevo.
Her momentum carried over to her first Grand Slam appearance in late August in Lausanne, where she finished seventh. The run included a notable victory in the round of 16 against Sabina Giliazova, the world number three and reigning European silver medalist.
Praise From Coach Pedro Guedes
“After her return from injury, Victoria came back stronger,” said Pedro Guedes, head coach of the Judo Wallonie Bruxelles federation. “She beat the European vice-champion this year and she showed a lot of personality. It was a really fast qualification process for her because she managed to win two medals in European Opens. I am confident. This is going to be a great experience for her, especially in a world championship that counts toward qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.”
Balancing Biological Sciences at UCL
Sibille balances her rigorous training schedule with academic pursuits, studying biological sciences at UCL. Her inclusion in the world championship delegation serves as a critical benchmark on the qualification pathway toward the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, giving the young Belgian an invaluable platform to test her skills against the world’s elite.
