Finalists on their very first appearance in the competition in 2023, then knocked out in the semi-finals the following season by eventual winners US Orléans LJJ, the Essonne-based club is determined to add to its medal collection this year. This will require a successful fourth day on Thursday, when they welcome the previously unbeaten Arts Martiaux Saint-Gratien. "With the French championships just held in Saint-Étienne (the Red and Whites, who lined up twenty-seven qualifiers, won three silver and four bronze medals, editor's note).It's not going to be an easy match for us, as we only use club members, with no outside reinforcements, introduces Chairman Pascal Renault. The situation is clear: if we beat Saint-Gratien by more than two victories, we should finish in the top four and thus qualify for the quarter-finals. This is a real challenge for us, as we manage to gather five hundred people every time we organize a Judo Pro League event. 

 

 

The tradition of team racing 

 

A simple equation for the partners of Paris Grand Slam gold medallist Léa Fontaine, who will be keen to shine in front of a warm and knowledgeable audience. It has to be said that Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois is no stranger to collective performance. "Before this season, when our two senior teams had to go through the regional phase again after slipping down to the nationals last year, we had enjoyed sixteen consecutive years with at least one men's or women's podium finish at the French gender-based team championships. We're looking forward to resuming our streak in 2026, while once again competing in the Final Four of the Judo Pro League.With the possibility of entering four foreigners and athletes from other clubs with team licenses, the level of the championship is obviously no longer the same, but I know that our athletes will do everything in their power to defend our colors with their hearts and their weapons." The Gérard-Bailo Dojo will be putting on a show this Thursday from 7 p.m.!