The fortress of Arboras once again held its own in this summit meeting between Judo Nice Métropole and Juniville Marnaval Grand Est, two teams who had started the season with a win. Despite suffering a defeat (in the +90kg category) and a draw (in the -66kg category) as a result of the postponement of their clash, originally scheduled for the end of October, the Azuréens only needed the first two bouts to take the lead on the scoreboard. First, through Tizie Gnamien (-90kg), who took advantage of a dangerous move by his opponent Abdoul Drammehthen by Grace-Esther Mienandi Lahou (+70kg), medallist last week at the European U23 championships, so dominant that she had double French champion Anne-Fatoumata M'Bairo. The duel between Léa Metrot and Julie Weill-dit-Morey (-52kg) ended without a winner before the break.

 

Buchard trapped by Vellozzi

Don't miss the rematch of last year's Grand Prix Final in Guadalajara between Amandine Buchard and Ophélie Vellozzi (-57kg). Unlike in Mexico, it was the Niçoise who prevailed this time, surpassing the sequence kata-guruma/ko-soto-gari of the double Olympic medallist in the -52kg class to finish the action in a dominant position. A crucial point as Switzerland's Nils Stumpthe 2023 world champion in the -73kg class, didn't hesitate to dominate Raphaël Gigli, nor did the 2024 Olympic runner-up in the -70kg class, Germany's Miriam Butkereitwho went on to defeat Sweden's Ida Eriksson. Except that between these two battles won by the Grand Est structure, it was local boy Luca Otmane who won on penalties against Clément Guilloux in -81kg. 4-3 final score for Judo Nice Métropole, the fifth team to record two wins in as many matches, with three matches remaining in this second day of the week. nextVenelles Judo 13/RSC Montreuil (10/11), AM Asnières Judo 92/Dojo Beglais (12/11) and JC Chilly-Mazarin Morangis/Sainte-Geneviève Judo (12/11).