European Judo Championships: Blandine Pont wins the silver medal in Zagreb, bronze for Cédric Revol

Blandine Pont (à droite) avait vaincu tous ses adversaires avant de chuter en finale. MAXPPP – NIKOLA KRISTC

La Montpelliéraine Blandine Pont a remporté ce jeudi 25 avril la médaille d’argent aux Championnats d’Europe de judo disputés à Zagreb (Croatie).

A personal revenge. Failed from the Olympic selection in the – 48 kg, Blandine Pont had the knife between her teeth this Thursday, April 25  for the opening of the European Championships in Zagreb.

The 25-year-old Montpellier converted her frustration into positive energy in Croatia. Thanks to an impeccable course, the Frenchwoman managed to reach the final. But she fell against the surprising Russian Kristina Dudina, a 19-year-old judokate. The latter perfectly countered an attack from Blandine Pont. An ippon which deprives the latter of a gold medal.

VICE-CHAMPIONNE D’EUROPE ! 🥈🇫🇷

Blandine Pont (-48kg) remporte la médaille d'argent pour ses premiers championnats d’Europe ! 💪😍

Félicitations Blandine ! 👏#JudoZagreb #GoLesBleus #FierdEtreJudoka pic.twitter.com/7CQQ5byHaj

— France Judo (@francejudo) April 25, 2024

Exile in Japan

Hindered by a knee injury at the end of 2023, Blandine Pont was exiled for two weeks in Japan at the end of winter. A way for her to rub shoulders with Japanese fighters and to relieve the frustration of her non-selection for the next Olympic Games. A relevant uprooting, visibly.

Among boys, in the – 60 kg, Cédric Revol won the bronze medal.