French judoka Clémence Emé enters her first senior World Judo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, ranked seventh globally in the under-70kg category after climbing from 34th earlier in the season. According to reporting from Nice Matin, the 29-year-old athlete arrives in the Azeri capital—situated 28 meters below sea level—aiming to solidify her standing in the qualification pathway for the Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Clémence Emé Overcomes Career-Threatening Injuries to Reach World Stage
The journey to Baku represents a remarkable turnaround for the AJA Paris competitor. Nice Matin reported that Emé nearly abandoned competitive fighting to focus solely on coaching following two ruptures of the cruciate ligaments of the knee in 2022 and 2023. This season, however, she recorded points finishes across all five Grand Slam tournaments she entered, highlighted by a victory at the tournament in Kazakhstan last May.
“I am in shape,” Emé said, according to Nice Matin. “I think I have never been as ready mentally and physically.”
Preparation and Tactical Focus for Baku Tatamis
Working under the supervision of French women’s team head coach Lucie Décosse, Emé has prepared meticulously for the psychological demands of her maiden world championship appearance. Nice Matin noted that her staff in Baku will include coach Alexandre Borderieux and national coach Kilian Le Blouch. The coaching team places specific emphasis on managing match stoppages, known as “mate” breaks, to maintain tactical focus during high-pressure sequences.
“I’ve armored myself against the fact that these are my first Worlds,” Emé told Nice Matin. “It will be a competition like any other, there are no castles in the sky to build. If I do the work that is required, it will go well. My results have given me a lot of confidence.”
Emé Seeks to Emulate Loïc Pietri in Azerbaijan
Should Emé secure a medal in Azerbaijan, she would emulate compatriot Loïc Pietri, the last person from the Maralpine region to be medaled at the Worlds when he claimed silver in 2015 after winning the world title in 2013. Nice Matin reported that Emé acknowledges the potential parallel with enthusiasm.
“Following behind Pietri, there are worse things,” Emé said with a laugh, as cited by Nice Matin. “When you look at his record, his skills, and his knowledge as a judoka, succeeding him would be cool and flattering.”
Beyond the individual tournament, Emé is scheduled to compete in the mixed team competition on October 11. As the sole female athlete entered in her division for the team event, she is guaranteed a spot alongside teammates that may include Maxime Gobert and Aleksa Mitrovic, according to Nice Matin.
