Double Gold for UDJ 74 Viuz-en-Sallaz at FSGT French Championships
The UDJ 74 Viuz-en-Sallaz judo club has cemented its place at the top of the podium, securing two French national titles at the FSGT championships held in Auby, located in the Nord department of France.
Competing in the “poussins” category, Clotilde Merotto-Macias and Kymeo Piraud delivered standout performances to claim gold for their club. Merotto-Macias dominated the -28 kg division, even as Piraud secured the title in the +60 kg weight class. The victory in Auby highlights the club’s ability to produce top-tier talent across different weight brackets on a national stage.
A Pattern of National Success
While the FSGT titles are the latest achievement, this gold-medal surge is part of a broader trend of dominance for the Viuz-en-Sallaz athletes. The club has shown remarkable versatility, translating its grappling success from traditional judo to Sambo, a Soviet-origin martial art known for its focus on throws and submissions.
Recent records from the French Sambo Championships reveal a staggering haul for the club, with eight athletes claiming national titles. This elite group included Clotilde Merotto-Macias and Kymeo Piraud—both of whom mirrored their FSGT judo success—alongside Côme Merotto Macias, Noa, Étann, Paul, Maelyne, and Apolline.
For those unfamiliar with the regional structure, UDJ 74 operates within the Haute-Savoie department (represented by the “74” in their name), and their consistent placement in national finals suggests a high-performance training environment in the region.
Deep Talent Pool in Haute-Savoie
The club’s success isn’t limited to a few star performers. The breadth of the UDJ 74 roster is evident in their recent Sambo selection results in Bonneville and their overall championship placements. Beyond the gold medalists, the club produced several vice-champions and podium finishers.
Sacha, Lana, Andrea, and Eleonore all earned silver medals as vice-champions of France in Sambo. The club saw strong placements from Jules, Elea, Luca, Aiden, and Louca, who secured third and fourth-place finishes.
The development pipeline is also evident in the youth ranks. Côme Merotto Macias, a frequent name on the winners’ list, has also appeared in the results for the Criterium Benjamin, further illustrating the club’s commitment to long-term athlete progression from the Benjamin level through to the national championships.
UDJ 74 Recent National Honors
| Athlete | Achievement | Discipline/Category |
|---|---|---|
| Clotilde Merotto-Macias | Champion of France | FSGT Judo (-28 kg Poussins) / Sambo |
| Kymeo Piraud | Champion of France | FSGT Judo (+60 kg Poussins) / Sambo |
| Côme Merotto Macias | Champion of France | Sambo |
| 8 Total Athletes | Champions of France | Sambo National Championships |
The combination of traditional judo and Sambo training has created a formidable competitive edge for the Viuz-en-Sallaz athletes. By competing in both disciplines, these fighters develop a more diverse technical arsenal, which is clearly paying dividends in the championship results coming out of the Nord and Haute-Savoie regions.
As the club continues to build on this momentum, the focus remains on maintaining this high standard of excellence across its various age categories and disciplines.
For the latest updates on regional tournament schedules and official results, followers can monitor the Comité Judo 74 official records.
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