Born: 1992 (Rennes, France)
Clarisse Agbegnenou is a French judoka who has achieved great success in the sport. Born on October 25, 1992, in Rennes, France, she is known for her exceptional skills and determination. Throughout her career, she has won numerous titles and medals, making her one of the most accomplished judokas of her generation.
Agbegnenou’s parents are originally from Togo, and she holds a dual citizenship, maintaining strong ties to both France and Togo. Her talent and passion for judo became evident at a young age, setting the stage for her future success in the sport.
Agbegnenou began her judo journey at the Arts Martiaux d’Asnières club. In 2008, she became the European junior champion and French vice-champion in the under 57 kg category. The following year, she won the French junior championship in the under 63 kg category. At just 16 and a half years old, she joined the Judo Club Escales Argenteuil, where she had the opportunity to work with Ahcène Goudjil, a high-level coach and the club’s founding president.
In 2013, Agbegnenou secured her first international gold medal at the European Judo Championships. She defeated Russia’s Marta Labazina to claim the title in the under 63 kg weight division. This victory marked the beginning of Agbegnenou’s rise to prominence in the world of judo.
The following year, in 2014, Agbegnenou achieved a significant milestone by winning the World Championships in the under 63 kg category. She defeated Israel’s Yarden Gerbi with an ippon, solidifying her position as one of the best judokas in the world. Her success garnered attention not only from the judo community but also from Togo’s president, Faure Gnassingbe, who personally congratulated her on her victory.
Despite facing some challenges along the way, Agbegnenou’s passion for judo and her unwavering determination never wavered. In 2016, she represented France at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and won a silver medal in the under 63 kg category. Although she narrowly missed out on the gold, her performance showcased her exceptional skills and dedication.
After the 2016 Olympics, Agbegnenou joined the Red Star Club de Champigny-sur-Marne, continuing to train and refine her skills. In September 2017, she once again emerged victorious at the World Championships, defeating Slovenia’s Tina Trstenjak in the final. This win was particularly significant as Trstenjak had defeated Agbegnenou in the Olympic final the previous year.
The year 2018 proved to be another successful year for Agbegnenou. She won the European Championships in the under 63 kg category, defeating Tina Trstenjak once again. Later that year, she secured her third World Championships title by defeating Japan’s Miku Tashiro in the final.
Agbegnenou’s extraordinary achievements in the world of judo have not gone unnoticed. Her remarkable talent, dedication, and contribution to the sport earned her the recognition and respect of her peers and fans. In 2018, she was voted L’Équipe Champion of Champions, highlighting her exceptional performance throughout the year.
With her unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of excellence, Clarisse Agbegnenou has cemented her place among the judo greats. Her accomplishments serve as an inspiration to aspiring judokas, and her influence on women’s sports history cannot be understated.
Awards:
– European junior champion (2008)
– French vice-champion in the under 57 kg category (2008)
– French junior champion in the under 63 kg category (2009)
– European Judo Championships gold medalist (2013)
– World Judo Championships gold medalist (2014)
– Olympic silver medalist (2016)
– World Judo Championships gold medalist (2017)
– European Judo Championships gold medalist (2018)
– World Judo Championships gold medalist (2018)
– L’Équipe Champion of Champions (2018)