Shirine Boukli at the Paris 2024 Olympics: five things to know about the Gard judoka, the first French medalist

Shirine Boukli entre en lice. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

Une passion familiale, un petit gabarit et la déception de Tokyo… Découvrez cinq choses à savoir sur Shirine Boukli.

Aged 25, Shirine Boukli is the first French medalist with the bronze won this Saturday, July 27.

In her father and uncle's club

Shirine Boukli is from Aramon, in the Gard. It was there in the club created by her father and uncle that she discovered judo after leaving school.

Read also: Paris 2024 Olympics: “I believe in my potential, I know what I'm capable of”, assures Gardoise Shirine Boukli

In competition with Blandine Pont

She fights in the under 48 kg category. This is the smallest category in judo. She has long been in competition in her category with Blandine Pont.

Tokyo's disappointment

For the judoka, this is the second Olympic Games. In Tokyo, in 2021, she was eliminated in her first fight. The Frenchwoman is already a triple European champion and vice-world champion.

Volunteer 10 years ago

“In 2014, at the European Championships in Montpellier, I was a “dispatch rider” (laughs). I was carrying the boxes of the champions who were participating in these first championships. Automne Pavia, Teddy Riner, all these people… I spent several days at the Sud de France Arena as a volunteer. It was really, really cool”, she said in an interview.

Probably no second chance for a medal

Apart from her personal competition, the Gardoise will probably not have a second chance for a medal. Shirine Boukli should not be entered in the mixed team event since the smallest women's category is set at – 57 kg.