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Judoka Clarisse Agbégnénou's bid for a sixth European title ends disappointingly as she is disqualified in the championship final.

French judo team leader succumbed in Podgorica, Montenegro, on Thursday, in the final of her -63 kg category, despite maintaning a substantial lead. She failed to claim the sixth continental golden medal, a feat that would have shattered the French record.

Judoka Clarisse Agbégnénou's bid for a sixth European title ends disappointingly as she is disqualified in the championship final.

Judo Champion Clarisse Agbegnenou Nets a Gritty Silver in Podgorica

On April 24th in Montenegro, judo powerhouse Clarisse Agbegnenou came up short in her pursuit of her sixth European title, ultimately claiming a silver medal. The 32-year-old Frenchwoman, a dominant force in the sport, nearly pulled off the feat but was disqualified due to an overzealous move against the young Czech defending champion, Renata Zachova.

Agbegnenou: Aports Obstacle Course Record Holder

A dozen years have passed since Agbegnenou's first of five continental titles, highlighting her impressive career longevity. Agbegnenou's resume speaks volumes – she boasts six individual world titles, three Olympic medals, and two team wins to her name[1].

A Shortened Season Awaits Agbegnenou

Agbegnenou won't be adding to her individual record this year, as she announced she won't participate in the World Championships in June[5]. But she has a shot at securing a mixed team European title on the competition's final day, April 27. Agbegnenou has opted for a shorter season focused on personal endeavors, specifically her desire to welcome her second child.

First Silver Medal in a Crowded Trophy Case

This silvers marks a first in Agbegnenou's extensive European Championship career, where she has only gone home empty-handed on two occasions, in 2017 and 2023. Apart from her five golden victories, she's also earned bronze medals in 2012 and 2015[6].

Agbegnenou Denied Historical Sixth Gold

Though Agbegnenou won't become the first French judoka to take home six European golds this year, her teammate Audrey Tcheumeo might change that on Saturday, competing in the -78 kg category.

Semifinal triumph and a Look to the Future

On her competition day in the semi-finals, Agbegnenou established her authority in France against her compatriot Manon Deketer after dominating the preliminary rounds. Although Deketer, the absentees' champion at the 2022 World Championships, displayed her seemingly superior strength – claiming victories at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in late 2024 and finishing as a finalist in both Paris and Tbilisi in 2025 – she couldn't outsmart Agbegnenou's wisdom[5].

Bound for Indispensability at LA 2028

Determined to remain "indispensable" for 2028, the forthcoming Los Angeles Olympics, Agbegnenou's ambition is unwavering[7]. Despite still being several years away, her performance in Montenegro gives her reason to be optimistic.

Strong Showings by Team France

On Thursday, Agbegnenou put up the highest result of the second day of the European Championships, following Shirine Boukli and Daikii Bouba's victorious Wednesday appearances. Agbegnenou wasn't the only medalist, either; 22-year-old Martha Fawaz claimed bronze in the -57 kg division, her first significant achievement in a major senior championship[6].

Additional judoka to watch include Marie-Eve Gahié (-70 kg), Alexis Mathieu, and Maxime-Gael Ngayap Hambou (-90 kg), as they vye for glory on Friday[6].

Stay Tuned

Sign up for our sports newsletter for the latest sports news delivered right to your inbox each Saturday[8]. In the meantime, keep an eye on Agbegnenou's remaining competitions and her Judo Master Class events for a chance to witness her expertise firsthand.

[1] Clarisse Agbegnenou's Judo Masterclass - Mastering the Technical Side

[3] Paris 2024: Agbegnenou Wins Historic Judo Victory and Secures Spot on French Team

[4] Agbegnenou Claims Fifth European Gold Medal

[5] World Judo Championships: Clarisse Agbegnenou Set to Hold Out this Year

[6] European Judo Championships: Agbegnenou Wins Silver, Fawaz Takes Bronze in -57kg

[7] Agbegnenou: "I Want to be Indispensable for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles"

[8] Subscribe Now

  • Judoka Mathieu could aim for a spot on the European Championship team in 2025, looking to emulate the success of his compatriot Clarisse Agbegnenou.
  • Eve, a sports fan, may find Agbegnenou's particular struggle in securing her sixth European gold medal in Podgorica in 2023 an interesting story to follow.
  • In 2025, the sports world might witness a resurgence of outstanding performances from French judokas, with Mathieu, Agbegnenou, and other talented athletes eyeing major titles.
In Podgorica, Montenegro, on Thursday, the French judo team leader, competing in the −63 kg category, submitted in the final despite holding a clear advantage. Unfortunately, she failed to clinch a sixth continental gold medal, which would have set a record for her nation.
In Podgorica, Montenegro, the acclaimed French judo athlete lost the final match in the (-63kg) category on Thursday, despite evident dominance. Regretfully, she did not claim a sixth continental gold medal, a feat that would have broken the French record.
Judo leader from France fell short in her (-63 kg) final match on Thursday, held in Podgorica, Montenegro, despite holding an advantage. She missed the opportunity to claim a sixth continental gold medal, which would have broken the French record.
French judo team leader surrendered in the -63 kg final of Podgorica (Montenegro) on Thursday, evidently outclassed. She failed to capture the sixth continental gold medal, a record for France.
In Podgorica, Montenegro, on Thursday, the lead of the French judo team in the -63 kg category displayed a respectful bow despite evident dominance. However, she failed to clinch a sixth continental gold medal, which would have broken a national record.
French judo team leader fell in reverence, on Thursday, at the finale in Podgorica, Montenegro, within her (-63 kg) category, despite evident supremacy. However, she was unsuccessful in acquiring a sixth continental gold, which would have surpassed the national record.
French judo team leader relinquished title bid in Podgorica, Montenegro, on Thursday, losing the final (-63 kg) despite evident dominance. She fell short of securing a sixth continental gold medal, which would have set a new national record.
In Montenegro's Podgorica, the French judo team leader, competing in the (-63 kg) category, failed to clinch a sixth continental gold medal on Thursday, despite holding a significant advantage, resulting in her exit in the final. This non-victory would have broken the national record.
French judo team leader relinquished her position in the -63 kg category final held in Podgorica, Montenegro on Thursday, despite a substantial lead. Regrettably, she failed to clinch the sixth continental gold medal, which would have surpassed the existing national record.
female judo team leader from France relinquished victory in the −63 kg final on Thursday in Podgorica, Montenegro, despite holding an apparent edge. She missed the chance to clinch a continental gold medal, which would have established a new record for her nation.
French Judo Leader Faces Defeat at (-63 kg) Final in Podgorica, Montenegro, Despite Clear Dominance- Despite boasting a decisive edge, the French judo leader fell short of securing a sixth continental gold medal in Podgorica, Montenegro on Thursday, breaking the national record.
In Podgorica, Montenegro, on Thursday, the French judo leader, competing in the (-63 kg) category final, showed respect despite evident dominance. However, she failed to claim a sixth continental gold medal, a feat that would have set a new national record.
French Judo Star Fails to Clinch Sixth Continental Gold in Podgorica, Missing Out on National Record Despite Leading Advantage in Final Match.
Judo captain from France yielded in Podgorica, Montenegro, during the final of her weight class (-63 kg), in spite of a distinct advantage. However, she failed to secure a sixth continental gold medal, which would have broken the national record.
French judo team leader exits final match (-63 kg) in Podgorica, Montenegro, despite holding the upper hand, failing to earn a sixth continental gold medal – a feat that would have surpassed the nation's record.
French judo star exits Podgorica final, conceding victory in the (-63 kg) category despite evident dominance. Despite her efforts, she fell short of claiming a sixth continental gold medal, which would have marked a national record.
French judo team leader experiences loss in Podgorica, Montenegro, during the (-63 kg) final on Thursday, despite a substantial lead. She failed to clinch a sixth continental gold, which would have surpassed the national record.
French judo team leader conceded defeat in Podgorica, Montenegro, Thursday, in her (-63 kg) category final despite holding an evident edge. She failed to claim a sixth continental gold medal, a feat which would have established a French record.
French judo team leader faced defeat in Podgorica (Montenegro) on Thursday despite holding a significant lead in her -63 kg final match. She missed out on capturing a sixth continental gold, which would have set a new national record.
In Podgorica, Montenegro, on Thursday, the French judo team leader, competing in the (-63 kg category final), stepped down after exhibiting obvious dominance. However, she failed to earn the sixth continental gold medal, which would have broken the national record.
French judo team leader conceded defeat, on a Thursday in Podgorica (Montenegro), during her -63 kg category final, despite holding a clear advantage. However, she fell short of clinching a sixth continental gold medal, which would've broken the national record.
Judo leader from France conceded defeat in Podgorica, Montenegro, during the final of her weight class (-63 kg), despite holding a significant advantage. She fell short of clinching a sixth continental gold medal, which would have broken the national record.
French judo team leader failed to clinch her sixth continental gold medal (-63 kg category) in Podgorica, Montenegro, on Thursday, despite a notable advantage, resulting in her elimination in the tournament final.
In Montenegro's Podgorica, on a Thursday, the head of the French judo team bowed, outmatched in her -63 kg category final. Despite her dominance, she fell short of clinching a sixth continental gold medal, which would have broken the national record.
In Podgorica, Montenegro, on a Thursday, the French judo team's leader bowed in the -63 kg final, despite exhibiting a decisive advantage. Regrettably, she fell short of clinching a sixth continental gold medal, a feat that would have set a new national record.
Judo leader from France showed respect in Podgorica during the (-63 kg) final, despite evident dominance. She fell short of securing her sixth continental gold medal, which would've broken the national record.
In Podgorica, Montenegro, on Thursday, the French judo team leader, competing in the (-63 kg) category final, unexpectedly bowed despite holding a noticeable advantage. Regrettably, she fell short of claiming a sixth continental gold medal, which would have broken her nation's record.
French judo team leader conceded defeat, on Thursday in Podgorica, Montenegro, in the final of her -63 kg category. Despite holding a significant advantage, she missed out on securing a sixth continental gold medal, which would have broken the national record.
In Montenegro's Podgorica, the French judo leader conceded in the (-63 kg) final on Thursday, despite holding a decisive advantage. Unfortunately, she fell short of securing a sixth continental gold medal, which would have set a new national record.
In Podgorica, Montenegro, on Thursday, the French judo team leader, competing in the (-63 kg) category final, bowed in recognition of an opponent who held a distinct advantage, failing to clinch a sixth continental gold medal and therefore falling short of breaking the national record.
French judo team leader, competing in Podgorica (Montenegro) in the (-63 kg) category's final on Thursday, bowed out despite having a distinct advantage. Unfortunately, she fell short of clinching a sixth continental gold medal, which would have broken the national record.
Favorites for the French judo team's -63 kg category disappointingly failed to clinch a sixth continental gold medal in Podgorica, Montenegro, on Thursday, with their head coach bowing out in the final. Her performance fell short of setting a national record.
In Podgorica, Montenegro, the French judo team leader, competing in the (-63 kg) category finals on a Thursday, knelt in defeat despite a distinct advantage. She fell short of capturing a sixth continental gold, which would have broken the national record.
Judo leader from France failed to clinch a sixth continental gold medal (-63 kg category) in Podgorica, Montenegro, despite holding a significant advantage in the final on Thursday, failing to break her own national record.
On Thursday, the leader of the French judo team suffered a loss in Podgorica, Montenegro, in the -63 kg final, despite having an evident advantage, thus failing to claim a sixth continental gold medal and establish a new national record.
French judo team leader succumbs in Podgorica (Montenegro), on Thursday, in her (-63 kg) final category, yielding to a rival despite a distinct advantage. She failed to clinch a historic sixth continental golden medal.
French judoka leader falls short in (-63 kg) final, missing opportunity to claim sixth continental gold Medal and national record in Podgorica, Montenegro. Despite holding an advantage, she couldn't clinch the victory.
French judo team leader suffered a loss in the -63kg final on Thursday, in Podgorica, Montenegro, despite holding a substantial lead. She fell short of claiming her sixth continental gold medal, a victory that would have broken the national record.
Judo team leader from France succumbed in the (-63kg) category final on a Thursday in Podgorica, Montenegro, despite having a palpable advantage, unable to claim a sixth continental gold medal, which would've set a new national record.
French judo leader fell short in the finals of her -63 kg category in Podgorica, Montenegro, on Thursday, despite having a significant lead. She failed to snatch her sixth continental gold medal, a feat that would have broken the nation's record.
In Podgorica, Montenegro, last Thursday, the French judo team's leader faced a disappointing end in the (-63 kg) category final despite a meaningful lead. Regrettably, she failed to capture the sixth continental gold medal, falling short of breaking the national record.
Judo Team Leader From France Loses Final Match in Podgorica (Montenegro), Fails to Earn Sixth Continental Gold Medal and National Record Despite Leading Advantage.

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