Joan-Benjamin Gaba: From Olympic Silver to World Judo Champion and PSG Star

From Olympic Breakthrough to World Championship Gold

Born on January 7, 2001, in Le Chesnay in the Yvelines department, Gaba began his judo career at the age of six in Trappes before advancing through Sèvres and Chilly-Mazarin Morangis. His development followed the strict path of the French federal pipeline, moving from the Pôle Espoirs of Châtenay-Malabry to the Pôle France in Strasbourg. For years, he served primarily as a reliable pillar of France’s mixed team, earning multiple world silver medals without capturing individual global headlines until the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

During the Paris tournament, Gaba became a surprise sensation for the host nation by advancing to the -73kg final. Though he fell to Hidayat Heydarov in the gold-medal bout, he quickly rebounded to help the French mixed team secure gold against Japan. Following the Olympic cycle, Gaba officially confirmed his elite standing on June 15, 2025, at the World Championships in Budapest.

In the Hungarian capital, Gaba orchestrated a nearly flawless tournament by winning five matches by ippon. His path to the top of the podium included victories over 2023 world champion Nils Stump of Switzerland, double world silver medalist Manuel Lombardo of Italy, and Brazilian contender Daniel Cargnin, whom Gaba defeated in the final during a tense golden score period. His signature technique—the spectacular shoulder throw known as kata-guruma—proved decisive throughout the day.

Historic Context and Club Career at PSG Judo

Gaba’s triumph in Budapest marked a historic milestone for French judo. No French competitor had ever claimed a world title in the under-73kg division prior to Gaba’s victory. Outside of Teddy Riner, Gaba became the first French judoka to secure a world gold medal since Loïc Piétri accomplished the feat in 2013.

Capitalizing on his elevated status, Gaba signed with PSG Judo in September 2025 on a four-year contract designed to carry him through the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. In addition to his athletic pursuits, Gaba maintains interests outside the dojo, having launched his debut rap single in 2025. The judoka is of Togolese and Martinican descent.

The Baku Title Defense and French Squad Dynamics

Defending a world crown remains one of the sport’s sternest challenges, and Gaba faces a formidable atmosphere in Baku, the home country of his primary rival, Heydarov. As the reigning champion, Gaba wears the red back-patch identifying him as the man to beat in the division.

France’s depth in the category is further underscored by the presence of Dayyan Boulemtafes. The young PSG Judo teammate, who claimed a European bronze medal in the spring, will compete alongside Gaba in Baku for his first-ever appearance at the World Championships.

For Gaba, a successful title defense in Azerbaijan would solidify his permanent place at the summit of the international -73kg division as the sport looks toward the upcoming Olympic qualification cycle for Los Angeles 2028.