“I really wanted gold for my daughter”: French judo star Agbegnenou stunned in semis but bronze still enough
Gold medalist Andreja Leski of Team Slovenia (L) celebrates with bronze medalist Clarisse Agbegnenou of Team France during the Women’s Judo Women -63 kg medal ceremony (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
PARIS, July 29, 2024 - Entering the Champ-de-Mars Arena on Tuesday afternoon for session eight of Olympic judo, it was easy to spot a gigantic cutout of Clarisse Agbegnenou’s head in the stands amid a sea of waving France flags and other smaller cutouts. It was indeed the perfect scenario for this national treasure, one of the most seen faces on billboards across Paris in these days, to be crowned in gold. But it was not to be, as she suffered an upset in the semifinals and would eventually settle for bronze.
“I really wanted to have the gold medal for my daughter. It has not been easy for her to follow me everywhere, to every competition, every training… but I’m really happy and proud that she could do this part of my life with me.”
GOLD FOR SLOVENIA The gold medal went to Slovenian judoka Andreja Leški. The 27-year-old defied the loud French crowd, whose chants of “Clarisse!” rented the air, to achieve one of the biggest wins of her career, securing her first ever victory over the six-time world champion by wazari in the semifinals of the women’s -63kg event. Their previous meetings include two world championship finals in 2021 and 2023, with Leški settling for silver on both occasions.
"A year ago, when I lost to Clarisse in the final of the World Championships my cousin told me I can beat her (Clarisse) in Paris. And I have always had that thought in my mind."
PERFECT DAY Leški came from behind to beat Mexican Prisca Awiti Alcaraz by Ippon in the final to mark her Olympic debut at Paris 2024 in a grand way, emulating her compatriot Tina Trstenjak, who won gold in the division at Rio 2016, and took the silver medal at Tokyo 2020. Leški’s gold is the first medal for Slovenia at Paris 2024.
“I had a feeling that it’s my day. I have prepared for this day for a long time. I had in mind, I needed to go to all five fights and put my soul into them. It was perfect.”
Fans of Team France show their support for Clarisse Agbegnenou during the Women -63 kg Semifinal of Table B contest between Andreja Leski of Team Slovenia and Clarisse Agbegnenou of Team France on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Champs-de-Mars Arena on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
STANDING OVATION A semi-final defeat for the French star of the day did not dampen the atmosphere, however. When Agbegnenou, wearing a red, white and blue scrunchie in her hair, returned to the mat for her bronze medal match, the spectators gave her a standing ovation – like they did when her name was announced during the semifinals - before cheering her to an Ippon victory.
“I was devastated after the semi-final and I think you could see it in the first part of the bronze match. I wasn’t in. I looked (at) my coach, and he told me, 'Wake up'. I thought I would (be) more disappointed to not bring any medal, so I listened to him.”
INCREDIBLE SUPPORT After the win, she made a heart shape with her hands for the crowd and then crossed over the barrier to carry her daughter Athena and hug her family and friends who were in the stands. It was such a precious moment that explains that the bronze still means a lot.
“I wanted to bring them another colour of medal. They were so invested behind me. They are happy now and it moves me a lot, but I’m disappointed. At least I won my last match, unlike in Rio. But that wasn’t the colour I wanted.”
PROUD OF ME Agbegnenou, who won two gold medals at the Tokyo Games in 2021 (individual and team), took a break from the sport afterwards for more than a year to start a family. She began training again in late 2022, and in 2023 became world champion for the sixth time, less than a year after the birth of Athena.
“That’s incredible to come back like this after a pregnancy. A little girl that I’m still breastfeeding - that’s crazy. I can be proud of me. I’ll put the medal around my daughter’s neck.”
“I really wanted to have the gold medal for my daughter. It has not been easy for her to follow me everywhere, to every competition, every training… but I’m really happy and proud that she could do this part of my life with me.”
GOLD FOR SLOVENIA The gold medal went to Slovenian judoka Andreja Leški. The 27-year-old defied the loud French crowd, whose chants of “Clarisse!” rented the air, to achieve one of the biggest wins of her career, securing her first ever victory over the six-time world champion by wazari in the semifinals of the women’s -63kg event. Their previous meetings include two world championship finals in 2021 and 2023, with Leški settling for silver on both occasions.
"A year ago, when I lost to Clarisse in the final of the World Championships my cousin told me I can beat her (Clarisse) in Paris. And I have always had that thought in my mind."
PERFECT DAY Leški came from behind to beat Mexican Prisca Awiti Alcaraz by Ippon in the final to mark her Olympic debut at Paris 2024 in a grand way, emulating her compatriot Tina Trstenjak, who won gold in the division at Rio 2016, and took the silver medal at Tokyo 2020. Leški’s gold is the first medal for Slovenia at Paris 2024.
“I had a feeling that it’s my day. I have prepared for this day for a long time. I had in mind, I needed to go to all five fights and put my soul into them. It was perfect.”
STANDING OVATION A semi-final defeat for the French star of the day did not dampen the atmosphere, however. When Agbegnenou, wearing a red, white and blue scrunchie in her hair, returned to the mat for her bronze medal match, the spectators gave her a standing ovation – like they did when her name was announced during the semifinals - before cheering her to an Ippon victory.
“I was devastated after the semi-final and I think you could see it in the first part of the bronze match. I wasn’t in. I looked (at) my coach, and he told me, 'Wake up'. I thought I would (be) more disappointed to not bring any medal, so I listened to him.”
INCREDIBLE SUPPORT After the win, she made a heart shape with her hands for the crowd and then crossed over the barrier to carry her daughter Athena and hug her family and friends who were in the stands. It was such a precious moment that explains that the bronze still means a lot.
“I wanted to bring them another colour of medal. They were so invested behind me. They are happy now and it moves me a lot, but I’m disappointed. At least I won my last match, unlike in Rio. But that wasn’t the colour I wanted.”
PROUD OF ME Agbegnenou, who won two gold medals at the Tokyo Games in 2021 (individual and team), took a break from the sport afterwards for more than a year to start a family. She began training again in late 2022, and in 2023 became world champion for the sixth time, less than a year after the birth of Athena.
“That’s incredible to come back like this after a pregnancy. A little girl that I’m still breastfeeding - that’s crazy. I can be proud of me. I’ll put the medal around my daughter’s neck.”
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