Aleksa Mitrovic has earned a place on the French national team for the upcoming judo world championships, joining the squad in the -90 kg category following a standout performance at the Mediterranean Games, according to announcements from France Judo.
The 24-year-old judoka, who is licensed with the JC Monaco club, secured his spot on the roster after capturing the gold medal in the -90 kg division at the Mediterranean Games held in late August in Taranto, Italy. During that tournament’s final, Mitrovic defeated Christian Parlati of Italy, who earned a silver medal at the 2022 world championships. That international victory served as a primary catalyst for his selection to the world championship team.
Overcoming Years of Physical Setbacks
Mitrovic’s selection to represent France marks a significant career milestone following an arduous stretch marked by major injuries. The athlete has undergone seven knee surgeries since 2019. After beginning his career at JC Monaco, he spent two seasons competing for PSG-Judo before returning to JC Monaco in September 2025. His inclusion in the world championship delegation highlights his persistent comeback to high-level international competition despite continuous physical hurdles.
https://x.com/francejudo/status/2098384316099088732
The French Judo Federation has assembled a 17-athlete delegation for the tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan, which is scheduled to run from October 4 to October 11. Mitrovic will share responsibility in the -90 kg category with Maxime-Gaël Ngayap Hambou, a bronze medalist at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Both athletes will face a challenging international field in Baku.
French Roster Outlook and Notable Absences
The broader French squad features a mix of established champions and experienced competitors across multiple weight classes. Joan-Benjamin Gaba, who captured a world title in the -73 kg category, is included in the men’s delegation, while Teddy Riner has been ruled out of the competition due to a shoulder injury.
On the women’s side, the selected roster includes Shirine Boukli in the -48 kg division, Priscilla Cysique in the -57 kg class, Clarisse Agbégnénou and Anrielle Deketer in the -63 kg category, and Margaux Eme at -70 kg. The -78 kg weight class will feature Fanny-Estelle Posvite and Audrey Tcheuméo. Additional men’s selections include Luka Mkheidze and Romain Valadier-Picard at -60 kg, Walide Khyar and Daoud Bouba at -66 kg, and Gaba alongside Boulemtafes at -73 kg.
The world championships in Baku will provide Mitrovic with his latest test against the sport’s elite, offering a platform to build upon his summer success on the Mediterranean circuit.
Worth a look
