For their baptism by fire in the Judo Pro League, AC Boulogne-Billancourt did not hold back. The Hauts-de-Seine club, the first mixed team French champion in 2025, driven by a star-studded roster and intense fervor at the Souriau gymnasium, reached the Final Four with the strength of a well-established title contender. 

 

From October, the message sent by AC Boulogne-Billancourt to the rest of the Judo Pro League competitors was crystal clear: the Orange and Blacks came to win. In their first match, they inflicted a resounding 5-0 victory on US Orléans Loiret JJ, the defending champions. A success marked by the supersonic armbar of double Olympic medalist in the -57kg category, Sarah-Léonie Cysique (competing in -63kg), leading a group of exceptionally high caliber. 

 

 

In Souriau's lair

Throughout this playoff phase, the Souriau gymnasium has transformed into an impregnable fortress. After their opening demonstration, ACBB strung together convincing victories, notably an authoritative 8-1 win against Dojo Nantais on the second day. Led by Romain Valadier-Picard (-60kg), who was in a league of his own even in a weight class above the one where he became vice-world champion in 2025, and Yoann Benezra (-90kg), who executed a perfect tai-otoshi against heavyweight Gaylord Jolly, the Boulonnais completed half of their mission at home. They then managed, albeit narrowly, to secure wins in their two challenging away matches in Bordeaux (5-3), thanks to the tenacity of Naomi Cabaret who snatched victory for her club in the final moments, and in Pontault-Combault (4-4, win on points). 

 

 

The show of force against FLAM 91

Back home for the quarterfinals, ACBB faced FLAM 91 in an electric atmosphere. A hyped-up announcer, a DJ set, and fans with giant signs: the show was as much in the stands as on the tatami, where President Yoann Catherin's team literally «stifled» their opponent from Essonne. The demonstration was complete: 2025 Junior World Champion Célia Cancan (+70kg) subdued her opponent on the ground, while the two Paris 2024 Olympic medalists in the -57kg category, Japan's Haruka Funakubo and Sarah-Léonie Cysique, put on a show. Final score: 9-1. A bitter pill to swallow which confirms the status of Romain Poussin's team as a strong contender for the final title. 

 

 

The Orange tide on the Paris Dojo

With this flawless run and this collective emulation around the athletes, AC Boulogne-Billancourt will arrive at the Dojo de Paris on May 16th as serious contenders, even without knowing yet what their team will look like. During the qualifiers, they will have called upon European stars like Italian brothers Giovanni and Antonio Esposito or Dutchwoman Joanne Van Lieshout, who was just crowned European champion in the -63kg category in Tbilisi in mid-April. One thing is certain: after making history in French judo for decades, AC Boulogne-Billancourt is ready to write its name at the top of the Judo Pro League.