Montpellier trip up at home in opening Judo Pro League

Eva Grassin (en blanc) a subi la loi de son adversaire Midi Libre – LF

Ambitieux pour sa troisième participation à la Judo Pro League, le MJO a été largement battu au Palais des Sports Pierre-de-Coubertin par Chilly-Mazarin. Prochain match, mardi 15 octobre face à Asnières (19h).

Montpellier coach Arthur Combeau was expecting a better start for his team for its third participation in this refreshing French mixed team championship.

After the FDI Stadium the first year, a visit to the too small Spinosi gymnasium the second, the Judo Pro League found in Montpellier a venue that lived up to the standing it claims to have: the Palais des sports Pierre-de-Coubertin. But the party was spoiled by solid opponents from the Paris region, who won by a wide margin (7-3).

As the general public is not yet used to coming to watch a judo match as they go to watch football, handball or rugby, only a portion of the 2000 seats in the brand new stadium were occupied.

Given the spectacle offered by the judokas in this young competition and the fact that the event is free, there is no doubt that the stands will be increasingly full as this French mixed team championship grows in popularity.

Starting next Tuesday (7 p.m.), those who were absent will have the opportunity to make up for it and come and encourage Montpellier Judo Olympic, most of whose judokas are trained at the club, like Omayma Sabhi who lives a stone's throw from the Palais des sports.

Metifiot, surprise defeat

The present, around 400 people, were there to encourage the Montpellier athletes during the first of the four days of the elimination phase of the Judo Pro League. “Micka, Micka” came down from the stands to the white tatami to push Mickaël Allo towards victory, without success.

Down 2-0, Montpellier could count on Emma Melis (-57kg) to open the local score. In a disputed duel, Hugo David (-73kg) equalized before Eva Grassin (-63kg) suffered an ippon (2-3 at half-time).

With three fights to go, Hugo Metifiot, French champion in – 90kg recruited by the MJO for the occasion, was immobilized by his opponent. In the process, the defeat of Omayma Sabhi definitively condemned the Héraultais.

For its entry into the Judo Pro League, Montpellier tripped up at home. Arthur Combeau's team will have the opportunity to make up for it on Tuesday (7 p.m.) against Asnières

Technical sheet

Montpellier… 3
Chilly-Mazarin… 7
Palais des sports Coubertin à Montpellier

Details of the fights: – 52kg (F): Louchene (JCCM) beats Bothy (MJO); – 66kg (M): Vergnes (JCCM) beats Allo (MJO); – 57kg (F): Melis (MJO) beats Lenoir (JCCM); – 73kg (M): David (MJO) beats Brosseau (JCCM); – 63kg (F): Gastrin (JCCM) beats Grassin; – 81kg (M): Tama (MJO) defeats Eleftheriadis (JCCM); – 70kg (F): Hieu-Filet (JCCM) beats Mayer (MJO); – 90kg (M): Diao (JCCM) beats Metifiot (MJO); + 70kg (F) : Bastareaud (JCCM) Sabhi (MJO) ; + 90kg (M) : Leveque (JCCM) beats Gustan (MJO)

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