Born: 1963 (Valenciennes, France)
Biography:
Nathalie Lupino, born on 13 June 1963 in Valenciennes, is a French judoka who has made a significant impact in the world of judo. Standing at 1.70m, Lupino primarily competed in the heavyweight class (at that time from 72 kilograms) or in the open class.
Lupino’s journey in judo began to gain recognition in December 1982, when she clinched the heavyweight title at the World Championships in Paris, defeating U.S. judoka Margaret Castro. This victory marked the beginning of an illustrious career for Lupino.
In January 1983, Lupino secured her first French championship title, showcasing her dominance in the national judo scene. Later that same year, at the 1983 European Championships, she reached the final, although unfortunately, she lost to Maria Teresa Motta of Italy. This setback did not discourage Lupino, as she continued to prove her prowess in the sport.
The year 1984 proved to be a memorable one for Lupino. She won her second French championship title and went on to participate in the 1984 European Championships. Lupino displayed tremendous resilience, reaching the final in both the heavyweight division and the open class. In the heavyweight division, she was defeated by Marjolein van Unen of the Netherlands, but she triumphed over Maria Teresa Motta in the open class, securing the gold medal.
Lupino’s success continued at the 1984 World Championships, where she impressed audiences and fellow judokas alike by winning a bronze medal in the open class. Her victory came after defeating Beata Maksymov of Poland, solidifying her reputation as a formidable competitor on the international stage.
In 1985, Lupino notably transitioned to the light heavyweight division and triumphed once again at the French championships. At the European Championships that same year, Lupino faced a tough challenge in the semifinals against Belgian judoka Ingrid Berghmans, resulting in a loss. However, she managed to secure the bronze medal by winning the match against Poland’s Jolanta Adamczyk.
It wasn’t until 1989 that Lupino regained her French heavyweight championship title, showcasing her enduring dedication and skill in the sport. At the European Championships, she faced another defeat, this time against Beata Maksymov. Despite the setback, Lupino managed to secure the bronze medal by defeating Maria Teresa Motta.
In Belgrade, at the World Championships held five months later, Lupino faced a tough semifinal match against Germany’s Regina Sigmund, ending in a defeat. However, she rallied in the bronze medal match, triumphing over Cuba’s Estela Rodríguez. In the open class, Lupino faced further eliminations, losing to Ingrid Berghmans and Japan’s Yōko Tanabe.
At the 1990 European Championships, Lupino opted to compete solely in the open class. Although she reached the final, she narrowly missed out on the gold medal, losing to Sharon Lee of Great Britain. The following year, Lupino faced an early defeat against Dutchwoman Monique van der Lee. However, she managed to secure a bronze medal by prevailing in the fight against Sharon Lee.
The 1991 World Championships held in Barcelona presented a new set of challenges for Lupino. In the open class, she suffered an early loss to Germany’s Claudia Weber. Despite this setback, she showcased her resilience by fighting her way to the bronze medal. At the 1992 European Championships, Lupino continued her successful journey by securing yet another bronze medal in the open class.
The 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona marked a significant moment for Lupino as women’s judo made its debut. Although there were no open class competitions, Lupino demonstrated her skills in the heavyweight events. She managed to win three heavyweight events, but in the semifinals, she was defeated by the talented Cuban judoka Estela Rodríguez. Determined to leave her mark, Lupino fought hard and secured the bronze medal by defeating Claudia Weber.
Throughout her career, Lupino faced formidable opponents, often from the Netherlands. In the heavyweight division at the European Championships, she lost to Monique van der Lee in the semifinals but rebounded to win a bronze medal. In the open class, Lupino reached the final, embracing the challenge of competing against elite athletes.
Nathalie Lupino’s contributions to judo have left an indelible mark on the sport. Her determination, resilience, and commitment to excellence have undoubtedly inspired future generations of judokas. Through her achievements, Lupino has cemented her rightful place in the history of women’s judo.
Awards:
– Olympic bronze medalist
– World Champion
– European Champion