Judo: Danyil Zoubko, this Gardois who replaced Teddy Riner

Danyil Zoubko (à d.) retrouve toujours avec plaisir ses camarades du club de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. Midi Libre

Taking advantage of the double French Olympic medalist's package, Danyil Zoubko, member of the Villeneuve-lès-Avignon Judo club, was able to participate last May in the world championships. Portrait.

In 2016, when Danyil Zoubko, of Ukrainian origin, came to perform his first randoris on the tatami of the Villeneuve-lès-Avignon Judo club at the age of 14, it was difficult to do so. rsquo;imagine that eight years later, at the age of 22, he would compete in the 2024 world championships in Abu Dhabi!

Teddy Riner's withdrawal, which he missed in order to focus on his preparation for the Paris Olympics, freed up a place in the French team. And the selection committee decided to replace him by including Danyil Zoubko in 81 kg. “We want to prepare and give experience to young people with a view to the next Olympiad”, explained Frédérique Jossinet, president of the selection committee of the French Federation.

“Very positive for the rest of his career”

Even though he was eliminated at the start by the 7th in the world, Tadijk Somon Makhmadbekov, bronze medalist at these World Championships, Danyil Zoubko, stocky, very strong on kumi kata, has not not just a figurehead. “He fought a very good fight, assures his Villeneuve teacher Jérémy Buisson, who made the quick trip at the end of May to support his protégé.The victory came down to a penalty. This is very positive for the rest of his career."

Maturity and humility

A career that his dad, a former high-level judoka in Ukraine, before coming to France to join the ranks of the Foreign Legion in Laudun, follows very closely, like all the members of Judo Villeneuve club where Danyil Zoubko left his mark: "He performs in all areas and always with a smile, explains Jérémy Buisson. He's a very mature boy. He has a good head on his shoulders, he has remained humble. This is an example to follow for the youngest judokas of the club, and the less young, too."

French cadet champion on his 17th birthday

In 2019, on his 17th birthday, Danyil Zoubko won the title of French cadet champion and won the two biggest national tournaments of the season. Having become number 1 in his category, the international doors opened to him and he took part in two European Cups in Italy and Croatia, where he finished on the podium, at third place!

In 2023, he joined Insep. Selected to participate in the Paris Grand Slam (545 entrants from 85 countries), he lost in the round of 16, achieving the second best run of the four French entrants in – 73 kg, for his first year in seniors.

The Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 in sight

After this year's world championships, it is the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles (United States) which are now on the horizon, logically fitting into the rectilinear trajectory of this young champion.

I subscribe to read more