Audrey Tcheumeo is ready for Olympic Judo tournament

Audrey Tcheumeo won her third European title in Kazan. In the final for women U78kg Tcheumeo defeated Guusje Steenhuis of the Netherlands. Tcheumeo won the title previously in 2011 and 2014. Steenhuis won bronze last year at the European Games.

Tcheumeo won her four fights against Brigita Matic, 2012 Olympic finalist Gemma Gibbons and in the semi final she defeated last year’s finalist Luise Malzahn who bested Marhinde Verkerk in de quarter final. The title defender lost her last match as well against Gemma Gibbons. The British lost her bronze bout against rival Natalie Powell. Steenhuis defeated Polish ace Daria Pogorzelec in her first match. Double European Champion Joo Abigel was her next victim and Natalie Powell was defeated in the semi final. Steenhuis won’t be in Rio as Verkerk was selected previously.

European Championships in Kazan Audrey Tcheumeo reached the semi final against Luise Malzahn. In a revenge match for last year’s final Malzahn knocked out Reigning European Champion Marhinde Verkerk.

Olympic medallist Tcheumeo will face Luise Malzahn, but their head2head is 7-1 for Tcheumeo. On paper no reasons to be afraid for Tcheumeo, but Malzahn is getting better how to fight the French. The other semi final will be between Guusje Steenhuis of the Netherlands and Natalie Powell of Great Britain. Powell defeated Ana Velensek in the quarter final, Steenhuis bested Joo Abigel. Luise Malzahn defeated Ana Velensek in a tough battle for bronze.

This Olympic cycle European Champions

2016      Audrey Tcheumeo (FRA)

2015      Marhinde Verkerk (NED)

2014      Audrey Tcheumeo (FRA)

2013      Lucie Louette (FRA)

2012      Abigel Joo (HUN)

Short Profile Audrey Tcheumeo

Audrey Tcheumeo won Olympic bronze in 2012 in London. She became World Champion 2011 in Paris, took silver in 2014 and bronze in 2013. Tcheumeo won European and World team titles with France. Two European Junior and Senior Championships and the European U23 title. She won the Grand Slams of Paris twice.