Born: 1963 (Bordeaux, France)
Biography:
Catherine Marie-Jeanne Arnaud was born on 5 February 1963 in Bordeaux, France. She is a French judoka who achieved remarkable success during her career. Standing at 1.56 meters tall, Arnaud competed in the lightweight category, which encompasses the weight class up to 56 kilograms.
Arnaud’s journey to success began in 1981 when she participated in the French championships and secured a second-place finish behind the talented Béatrice Rodriguez. Over the next few years, she continued to hone her skills and in 1983, she clinched her first French championship title. Arnaud went on to win the title three more times consecutively from 1987 to 1989, establishing herself as one of the top judokas in France.
In 1984, Arnaud made her mark on the international stage when she won a bronze medal at the World Championships in Vienna. Despite losing in the semifinals to Australian Suzanne Williams, Arnaud showed incredible resilience to bounce back and secure the bronze by defeating Japan’s Satsuki Watabe. This achievement propelled her onto the radar of judo enthusiasts worldwide.
Arnaud’s ascent continued in 1986 when she won the title at the World Student Championships, further solidifying her place as a force to be reckoned with in the judo community. The following year, she made history by winning the European title in Paris. After defeating Germany’s Regina Philips in the semifinals, Arnaud emerged victorious over Britain’s Ann Hughes in the final, claiming the European crown.
Arnaud’s most significant achievement came at the 1987 World Championships in Essen. She displayed remarkable skill and determination throughout the tournament, defeating Regina Philips in the quarterfinals and securing a spot in the semifinals. Arnaud then overcame Cuba’s Cecilia Alacán to advance to the final, where she faced off against Suzanne Williams. In an intense battle, Arnaud emerged triumphant and was crowned the world champion.
Continuing her reign of dominance, Arnaud successfully defended her European title in Pamplona in 1988. With a resounding victory over Spain’s Miriam Blasco, she reaffirmed her position as the top judoka in Europe. That same year, Arnaud represented her country at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Although women’s judo was held as a demonstration event, Arnaud’s exceptional performance earned her a bronze medal. Despite her defeat in the semifinals against Susanne Williams, Arnaud showcased her resilience and determination by bouncing back to secure a podium finish.
Arnaud’s success continued in 1989 when she won her third European Championship title in Helsinki. In a fierce final against Poland’s Maria Gontowicz-Szałas, Arnaud emerged victorious once again. Later that year, the World Championships were held in Belgrade, and Arnaud was determined to defend her title. With victories against Miriam Blasco in the semifinals and Ann Hughes in the final, Arnaud etched her name in history, becoming a two-time world champion.
In 1990, Arnaud added another European Championships title to her already impressive collection. Competing in Frankfurt am Main, she defeated Belgium’s Nicole Flagothier in the semifinals and Germany’s Gudrun Hausch in the final. Arnaud’s remarkable achievements showcased her consistency and unwavering dedication to her craft.
Arnaud faced both triumphs and setbacks on her path to success. At the 1991 European Championships in Prague, she was defeated in the quarterfinals by Italy’s Laura Zimbaro. However, Arnaud demonstrated her resilience by fighting her way through the hope round to secure the bronze medal. In the same year, at the World Championships in Barcelona, she reached the semifinals but ultimately finished in fifth place after facing challenging opponents like Belgium’s Nicole Flagothier and Britain’s Nicola Fairbrother.
Arnaud’s final years as a judoka were marked by her continued presence at the top level. In 1992, she competed in the European Championships in Paris, where she narrowly lost to Nicola Fairbrother in the quarterfinals. With unwavering determination, Arnaud secured another bronze medal in the hope round. That same year, she participated in the inaugural women’s judo event at the Olympic Games in Barcelona. Though her journey ended in the quarterfinals against Nicola Fairbrother and a subsequent defeat to Kate Donahoo of the United States in the hope round, Arnaud finished in a commendable seventh place.
Catherine Arnaud’s contribution to the world of judo cannot be understated. Her remarkable achievements, including two world titles and four European championships, showcase her extraordinary talent and indomitable spirit. Arnaud’s dedication to her sport has left an indelible mark on women’s judo, inspiring future generations of judokas to chase their dreams and reach for greatness.
Awards:
– Bronze medal, 1988 Summer Olympic Games (Seoul)
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