Inseparable. Merged. Bound by the same passion. Their name? L'Herbier. Lou is twenty-five, Téo soon to be twenty-eight. Members of JC Juniville, the two brothers, sons of the teacher at Judo Club Jasseines (Aube) where they started out aged five and four respectively, are key players in the Grand Est franchise, which joined the Judo Pro League this season. One name for two names accustomed to the top national level... and to this Judo Pro League. Téo was one of the pillars of Judo Nice Métropole, winner of the 2023-2024 edition, while Lou fought for Auxerre Judo, quarter-finalists last year.

Finding themselves competing under the same banner this time around, they're super-motivated by the idea of carrying the team's colors as high as possible. This team was born of the desire of Adrien Guilloux, their club coach, to see judo from the Grand Est league represented at this event. It's a privilege to have the Ardennes shine in this competition, where many of France's top clubs are present," says Téo. Last year, I experienced the atmosphere of the Final Four, and I really liked the logistics, which were designed to showcase the teams and give the athletes an important dimension that is rarely seen in France." Lou is equally convinced by the formula. "I love the show aspect of the Judo Pro League, which has everything going for it: the white tatami, the format, the refereeing rules which, this season, completely encourage commitment, and the public who push hard because the match doesn't last too long."

Téo was on the podium at the 2023 French Championships, finishing in bronze in the -90kg category, as he was last June at the European Open in Spain. Meanwhile, his younger brother has just finished in silver at the Label Excellence national tournaments in Noisy-le-Grand and Besançon in early October. These good performances will be built on at the French 1st division championships in Chalon-sur-Saône in early November, before they return to the Judo Pro League for two matches against FLAM 91 on November 13 and Judo Nice Métropole on November 19. After two early-season setbacks against Hauts-de-France and Sainte-Geneviève Sports Judo, these will be two duels not to be missed if we hope to continue the adventure in this third edition. The good news is that Téo will be back in the squad. My brother was absent through injury for the first two matches," explains Lou. It was detrimental for us because he's a leader. Not only in terms of his results, but also in terms of his personality: although he's rather reserved, he always gives good advice. I listen to him a lot, as do the younger members of the team. His presence for the next two games will do us a lot of good.It will also enable us to get back into our routines, as we're used to warming up and practicing technique together at the INSEP or the Paris Dojo." Juniville Marnaval Grand Est has not said its last word with its reconstituted pairing.