Judo: Tcheuméo swallows his Olympic disappointment and bids himself a 5th European crowning | TV5MONDE

Frenchwoman Audrey Tcheuméo, who was not selected for the Paris Olympics, managed to overcome her disappointment to claim a fifth continental title in the -78 kg category, on Saturday at Euro Judo in Zagreb.

The PSG resident won at the end of an epic final against Germany’s Anna-Maria Wagner, world no.3.

After a modest start, the 34-year-old fighter did not give up, managing to recover from a waza-ari with 30 seconds remaining. Pressed into overtime, the German gradually slowed down as Tcheuméo gained momentum, until she sent her opponent flying with a stunning ippon after two minutes of golden scoring.

“It was all the emotions, but I knew how to stay +focused+ until the end and I was calm, I don’t know why,” she responded to AFP. “I was sure of myself, I had only one thing in mind: to win, and I went all the way.”

Despite this fifth continental title (after 2011, 2014, 2016 and 2017), Tcheuméo will not participate in the Olympics in Paris this summer, because the federation has preferred Madeleine Malonga, Olympic vice-champion in Tokyo and now ranked 5th in the world.

While the decision was made official just under two weeks ago, one could wonder how the experienced Frenchwoman would digest this disillusionment. Well, the double Olympic medalist (silver in 2012, bronze in 2016) showed his worth in a beautiful way on the tatami mats in the Croatian capital.

After starting the day by dispatching, in 23 seconds, the Russian under the neutral banner Nadezhda Tatarchenko, she dominated the German Alina Boehm, double titleholder who had beaten her a few weeks ago.

“The past is the past”

In the semi-final, there was quite a client standing in front of her, in the form of the Israeli Inbar Lanir, world no.1 and reigning world champion. But the Frenchman was extremely solid and dominated his opponent both physically and technically to reach the final.

“It was a hard day, but that’s the magic of judo We’re all the same and it’s the mind that plays a part on D-Day,” said Tcheuméo, who was philosophical about his non-selection for Paris: “Life is. challenges I made the choice to come to Europe because I wanted to win and I wanted to enjoy the present. The past is in the past, now we are moving forward.

She will have another opportunity to shine in less than a month at the World Championships.

Two other medals adorned the blue bag on Saturday, thanks to Julia Tolofua and Léa Fontaine in the superior category (+78 kg).

For his first European Championship as a senior, Tolofua won the silver medal after his defeat in the final against Israeli Raz Hershko, world no.2.

Like Tcheuméo, the 26-year-old fighter, back from a long shoulder injury, will not compete in the Olympics this summer, when Romane Dicko was selected as heavyweight.

A few moments earlier, Léa Fontaine had won the bronze medal, climbing to her second continental podium after finishing second in 2021.

Among the men, Loris Tassier and Alexis Mathieu were beaten in the -90 kg repechage, while heavyweights Khamzat Saparbaev and Mathéo Akiana Mongo were eliminated prematurely.

At the end of the three days of individual competition, the Blues have one title, two silver medals and three bronze medals. They get one last chance to shine on Sunday during the team competition.