The France has had a perfect start to the European Judo Championships, winning four medals on Thursday, including two golds for Luka Mkheidze and Shirine Boukli.
The European Championships in Tbilissi couldn’t have started better for the French team! At the end of the first day, where the two heaviest weight categories for men and women were on the program, the French team already secured two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze!
Mkheidze, as a symbol
First of all, honor to Luka Mkheidze, who won the most symbolic medal of the day. Born in Tbilissi thirty years ago and moving to France in 2010, the world No. 13 won his second continental title after 2023, in his hometown. Moreover, he defeated the world No. 9 from Georgia and the title holder in the final! After a flawless day with three victories, including an ippon win in the semi-finals, the French judoka made his opponent submit in the final, after 2’53 minutes of combat. Previously winning medals of every color at the European Championships, he is now a double champion!
Boukli secures fifth gold
For her, it is a fifth gold medal! At 27 years old, Shirine Boukli is now a five-time European champion in the -48kg category. Ranked world No. 2, she won two of her three first fights in golden score, including a quarter-final victory after 7’25 minutes. She spent even more time on the mat in the final against Russian Sabina Giliazova, No. 4 in the world and double European bronze medalist. The French athlete emerged victorious after 12’19 minutes of combat, due to her opponent’s accumulation of penalties for lack of combativeness. Boukli is undoubtedly the queen of her category in Europe!
Buchard loses to a stronger opponent
In the -52kg category, Amandine Buchard (world No. 9) had to settle for the silver medal, for the third time in her career, after 2014 (when she was in the -48kg category) and 2022. The 30-year-old athlete, who is pursuing a dual judo-rugby project for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, faced Kosovar Distria Krasniqi in the final, the world No. 1, reigning European champion, and vice-champion who had defeated her in Paris last February. However, she lost due to conceding a yuko early in the fight. This remains the sixth European medal for “Bubuche”. France collected all three different colored medals on Thursday, as Walide Khyar secured the bronze in the -66kg category. Beaten in the semi-finals by Russian Chopanov, the 30-year-old judoka bounced back by defeating Armenian Davit Abrahamyan with an ippon after 2’40 in the bronze medal match. It is his fourth European medal, the third in bronze.
Second in the medal standings last year in Podgorica behind the “neutral athletes” from Russia and Belarus (who now have the right to their anthem and flag), France is leading after this first day. On Friday, the -73kg for men and the -57kg and -63kg for women will be on the schedule.
