Paris 2024 Olympic Games: between Tcheuméo and Malonga, the French Judo Federation has finally decided for the selection in – 78 kg

Ce sera bien Malonga (à droite) qui disputera les Jeux Olympiques de Paris. Midi Libre – Giacomo Italiano

Madeleine Malonga was chosen by the judo federation, subject to approval by the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), to complete the French team which will participate in the Paris Olympic Games.

Malonga, 30 years old, competed with Audrey Tcheuméo in the – 78 kg, the only one still not filled while the federation has already selected 13 judokas for the Olympics.

"A selection committee was held last Tuesday at the France Judo headquarters to determine the athlete who will complete our Olympic selection in – 78kg. At the end of this, we informed the CCSO (editor's note: Olympic Selection Advisory Commission) of our desire to propose Madeleine Malonga to complete the French Olympic Team, announces the Federation in a press release.

This selection must be validated by the CCSO and the Executive Office of the CNOSF on April 12. France Judo explains that it made its choice after the last competitions which took place on March 24 and 31, respectively in Tbilisi and Antalya.

"The best to represent our country this summer in Paris"

"This choice was particularly difficult given the sporting value that we recognize in Audrey Tchéumeo (5th in Tbilisi). Only one place was possible, and Madeleine Malonga (editor's note: victorious in Antalya) demonstrated that today she was the best to represent our country this summer in Paris."< /p>

In Antalya at the end of March, Malonga had sent to the mat in 1’42 the German Alina Bohm in the final, the double reigning European champion who had just beaten Tcheuméo the week previous match for bronze.

The silver medalist in Tokyo had already taken a head start at the Paris tournament in February, winning against Tcheuméo before claiming bronze .