On Monday, March 23, 2026 at 10:08 PM, the French Judo Federation unveiled the list of selections for the European Championships in Tbilisi from April 16 to 19. Shirine Boukli and Romane Dicko will defend their titles.
Thirteen days after the men’s selection, the French Judo Federation revealed the women’s selection for the European Championships in Tbilisi (from April 16 to 19) on Monday. The selection includes experienced players and some younger competitors. Last year, at the European Championships in Pogdorica, the French team won five medals (five for men as well), including two gold medals. The two 2025 European champions, Shirine Boukli in the -48kg category and Romane Dicko in the +78kg category, will defend their titles. Both judokas won the Grand Slam of Paris in February and are expected to be in great form. Bronze medalist in the -57kg category, Martha Fawaz, will also be part of the team in Georgia.
Buchard, Cysique, and Fontaine will be there as well. The selection also includes two-time European champion Amandine Buchard, who continues to balance her judo-rugby dual career in preparation for Los Angeles 2028, as well as four-time European medalist Sarah-Léonie Cysique, and two-time European medalist Léa Fontaine. Manon Deketer will make her Euro debut in the -63kg category, the same category as Clarisse Agbegnenou, who became a mother to Dakota on March 11. Melkia Auchecorne, former junior world champion, and Kaéla Issoufi, winner of the Grand Slam of Tachkent, will also make their debut. Audrey Tcheuméo, winner of the Grand Slam of Tbilisi last weekend, will be a substitute.
“We approach the European Championships with great ambition. This group has shown its ability to perform and mobilize in major events. The goal is clear: to seek victories and medals in each category to confirm this progress on the European stage,” said Frédérique Jossinet, general manager of the French team, as reported by L’Equipe.
The women’s selection includes: Shirine Boukli (-48kg), Amandine Buchard (-52kg), Sarah-Léonie Cysique (-57kg), Martha Fawaz (-57kg), Manon Deketer (-63kg), Melkia Auchecorne (-70kg), Kaéla Issoufi (-78kg), Romane Dicko (+78kg), Léa Fontaine (+78kg)
The men’s selection includes: Romain Valadier Picard (-60kg), Luka Mkheidze (-60kg), Walide Khyar (-66kg), Daikii Bouba (-66kg), Joan-Benjamin Gaba (-73kg), Dayyan Boulemtafes (-73kg), Alexis Mathieu (-90kg), Maxime-Gaël Ngayap Hambou (-90kg), Mathéo Akiana Mongo (+100kg)
