With more than sixty fighters competing individually at the World Championships that have just concluded in Baku, the Judo Pro League clubs were well represented in Azerbaijan.

Although the French fans obviously followed closely the performances of the seventeen French players at these world championships, they did not fail to take a closer look at those who exchange their national judogi several times a year for that of their adopted hexagonal club that competes in the Judo Pro League.

Six medals in total, including the silver for Issoufi and Garcia Torne
Beyond the bronze medal won by its Olympic medalist Shirine Boukli in the -48kg category, FLAM 91 can now boast having among its ranks the German Giovanna Scoccimarro, third in the -70kg category, while Juniville Marnaval Grand Est can be proud of the Spanish David Garcia Torne, world vice champion in the -66kg category, and the Italian Odette Giuffrida, bronze medalist in the -52kg category – after defeating her German teammate Mascha Ballhaus in the small final, in her next matches. The -52kg category is certainly in the spotlight, as the Stade Bordelais also had its moment of happiness with the third place of the Spanish Ayumi Leiva Sanchez. And what about the shared joy at Sainte-Geneviève Sports after the formidable day – concluded with silver – of Kaïla Issoufi in the -78kg category, ending thirty-five years of waiting for the Rouge et Blanc since the bronze medal won in the Open at the 1991 World Championships in Barcelona by George Mathonnet?

Thirteen clubs represented in Baku
In total, thirteen of the fourteen structures involved in this fifth season of Judo Pro League will have been affected by this event of the world elite in the Azerbaijani capital. A dispersion of these French and foreign talents from all over the country ensures a remarkable level of competition in every match, as well as offering the opportunity for the French competitors to measure themselves against experienced opponents who are accustomed to the best international level. This culture of high performance can also be infused into the clubs that host these events, in addition to opening up to the world, which can only be beneficial. From India to The Gambia, through Lebanon, Ukraine, Cuba, the Netherlands, Guinea and Italy, twenty-nine national fighters have experienced these world championships before coming to demonstrate their expertise in France during this fifth edition of the Judo Pro League.

The trophy for representation goes to AC Boulogne-Billancourt
With ten fighters, including Sarah-Léonie Cysique (-57kg) and Romain Valadier Picard (-60kg), who were medalists in 2025 and are ranked again this year, it is AC Boulogne-Billancourt – which will be playing for its title starting Tuesday and hosting Auxerre Judo – that has the best total. Behind them are Juniville Marnaval Grand Est with nine athletes, then the duo composed of Arts Martiaux Saint-Gratien and Stade Bordelais, with seven athletes each. Next are JC Pontault-Combault and RSC Montreuil with five athletes each, against four for Venelles Judo 13, three for Arts Martiaux d’Asnières, FLAM 91, Judo Nice Métropole, Montpellier Judo Olympic, and finally two for Auxerre Judo and Sainte-Geneviève Sports.