Clarisse Agbegnenou visualises her goals

Although she didn’t compete last weekend in Paris, Double Olympic Champion Clarisse Agbegnenou was actively present at the Grand Slam. She held a press conference for children and gave attention to her book During ‘Fight to be Yourself’ (Combattre pour être soi), in which she recounts her life journey and all that judo has given her on her way to being the woman she is today. She presented the book the day after Grand Slam Paris 2023, while meeting the Prime Minister of the French Republic, Elisabeth Borne.

Agbegnenou became double Olympic champion in Tokyo and is 5-time world and 6-time European champion. She wants to win her third Olympic gold medal in Paris in 2024 in front of her home audience, friends and family. Her daughter Athene was born in June 2022, and now the 30-year-old Frenchwoman is about to make a (second) comeback. “I’m training hard and will be making my comeback soon. I hope I’m as strong as before. My goal is clear: I want to win individual Olympic gold for the second time in Paris in 2024.”

How do you deal with that pressure? “It’s not that easy to explain: I basically visualize my goals, for example how I’ll stand on the podium and be presented with the gold medal. And I encourage myself to do everything I can to be top fit and ready.”

Are you sure you will be at the 2024 Olympics next year? “That’s my big goal. But first I have to compete at other tournaments. Next year I want to be back at the Grand Slam in Paris.”

On behalf of IJF President Marius Vizer, Agbegnenou presented the Prime Minister a plaque to mark the support she gives to judo, to the organisation of Grand Slam Paris and to the French judo team.

Agbegnenou continues

Agbegnenou has already stepped back on the tatami to compete with her team in the European Club Championships in December but got injured and has taken her time to return to the individual competition and will now make her comeback at the Grand Slam of Tel Aviv.

Agbegnenou has also been selected for the World Championships in May in Doha. The French will come out with their strongest team that includes: Shirine Boukli, Amandine Buchard, Sarah-Leonie Cysique, Clarisse Agbegnenou, Marie-Eve Gahie, Audrey Tcheumeo, Romane Dicko and Julia Tolofua. One spot is yet open. Margaux Pinot and Blandine Pont have not yet been selected.