Born: 1981 (Chaumont, Haute-Marne)
Biography:
Lucie Marguerite Théodora Décosse was born on August 6, 1981, in Chaumont, Haute-Marne. She is a former French judoka who had a stellar international career from 2000 to 2013. Décosse initially competed in the -63 kg category before transitioning to the -70 kg category. With her exceptional skills and determination, she became the French and world number 1 in both categories. Standing at 1.67 meters tall and being left-handed, Décosse left an indelible mark on the sport with her remarkable track record, including multiple world championships and Olympic titles.
Décosse’s journey in judo started at the age of 6 when she joined the Écouen club in Val-d’Oise. However, her first successes came in French Guiana, her mother’s homeland. At the age of 16, she started sport-study in Orléans and joined the city’s club, US Orleans. In 1999, she won her first junior France titles and secured a bronze medal at the World Youth Olympic Games. Décosse then began competing in European tournaments and achieved podium finishes.
In 2000, Décosse made a significant breakthrough by winning the world junior title in Nabeul, Tunisia. In the final, she defeated Japan’s Ayumi Tanimoto, who would become a familiar rival throughout her career. That same year, she also won the European team title with the French team, alongside esteemed judokates like Marie-Claire Restoux and Céline Lebrun.
Décosse continued her impressive form in 2001 by winning the prestigious Paris Tournament and achieving podium finishes at the Fukuoka Tournament. It was during this period that she faced her only defeat to Ylenia Scapin in the final of the Mediterranean Games in Tunis.
In 2002, Décosse added a first European individual title to her growing list of accomplishments in Maribor. Although she did not manage to retain the title in the following year, she earned a spot in her first World Championships in Osaka. Unfortunately, she fell short of the podium at the Championships.
Décosse’s focus then shifted to the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. Despite facing a setback after being eliminated in the quarterfinals by Argentina’s Daniela Krukower, she fought her way through the repechages to finish in seventh place overall. Following this disappointment, Décosse returned to the international stage with a third-place finish at the European Championships and a victory at the Mediterranean Games in Almeria.
In 2005, Décosse became a world champion by defeating Olympic champion Ayumi Tanimoto. This victory solidified her position among the judo elite and marked the beginning of her dominance in the sport. She went on to win three more world titles in 2010, 2011, and 2012, showcasing her exceptional skill and consistency.
Décosse’s crowning glory came at the London Olympic Games in 2012 when she clinched the gold medal, finally reaching the top of the Olympic podium. This achievement cemented her status as one of the greatest judokas of her time.
After inspiring a generation of judo enthusiasts and leaving an everlasting impact on the sport, Lucie Décosse decided to end her sporting career on August 30, 2013, following her participation in the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro. Despite her retirement, she continues to contribute to the sport as a 6th dan.
Awards:
– Four-time world champion (2005, 2010, 2011, 2012)
– Olympic champion (2012)
– Four-time European champion (2002, 2003, 2004, 2007)