For forty years, Etoile Sportive has been the flagship sports club of Blanc-Mesnil, a town of 55,000 inhabitants in the north of Seine-Saint-Denis. "Our ambition is to maintain our position at the highest level," sums up Karim Boumedjane, the club's president for the past seven years. Boumedjane, who made his name with the French national team alongside David Douillet, cites the names of the "charismatic" coaches who have taken it in turns to achieve this. The senior team is now coached by Jean-Pierre Gibert and Mathias Boucher, who provide individual support to complement the work carried out at Insep.

With almost 700 members, L'Etoile is one of the top clubs in France, despite the strong competition in the Paris region. The club appreciates the visibility given by the first edition of the Pro League and is hoping for an Olympic effect in a few months' time, as Paris 2024 will take place largely in the département. "For young judokas, this exceptional event is bound to resonate," anticipates Karim Boumedjane.

And why not attract the champions of tomorrow, those who will one day emulate the exploits of Madeleine Malonga, Olympic runner-up and world champion.