Born: 1982 (Yaoundé, Cameroon)
Gévrise Émane, born on July 27, 1982, in Yaoundé, Cameroon, is a French judoka who has made significant contributions to the sport. Competing in the underweight 70 kg middleweight category, she later transitioned to welterweight, under 63 kg, before returning to her original category. Coached by former Olympic champion Cathy Fleury, Émane is a three-time world champion, having won the title in 2007 (under 70 kg), 2011 (welterweight), and 2015 (middleweight). She also achieved a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and has been a five-time European champion in 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012, and 2016, with three titles in middleweight and two in the lower category.
Émane’s journey in judo began when she moved to France at the age of two and a half. She grew up in Neuilly-Plaisance in Seine-Saint-Denis, where she discovered her passion for judo relatively late in college, at 13 years old. Despite her late start, she quickly progressed in junior competitions and joined the National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance (INSEP) in 2000 after achieving a podium finish at the junior France championships.
In 2003, Émane started to make her mark in the international judo scene by securing her first podiums in the World Cup, notably at the prestigious Paris Tournament. She also won the title of France champion and contributed to the European team title of the women’s French national team. However, despite her promising performances in the World Cup, she narrowly missed qualifying for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
The following year, in 2005, Émane made a breakthrough by winning her first international medal at the World Championships in Egypt. Although she reached the final, she had to settle for the silver medal after losing to Dutch judoka Edith Bosch. This accomplishment showcased Émane’s potential as she went on to dominate major international competitions.
In 2006, Émane participated in the Euro 2006 organized in Tampere, where she emerged as the champion. Together with her talented compatriots from the Women’s French Team, she also secured the world team title in Paris at the end of the same year. In early 2007, Émane successfully defended her continental crown before clinching the world gold medal in Rio de Janeiro in September. In the final, she defeated American Ronda Rousey, securing one of the two gold medals won by the French delegation in Brazil. This victory was a sweet redemption for Émane, who had lost her first world final two years earlier in Cairo.
At the age of 25, Émane was considered one of the favorites for the 2008 Olympic title. However, she experienced a great disappointment when she was eliminated in the first round by the Spaniard Leire Iglesias. It was a shattering blow for Émane in her first Olympic participation.
In 2009, Émane decided to change weight category to under 63 kg. Her primary goal was to win the only missing medal from her impressive collection – an Olympic medal. She also aimed to expand her legacy in a different category. Despite facing the challenges of adjusting to a new weight, Émane displayed remarkable resilience and determination.
Gévrise Émane has undoubtedly left a significant impact on the world of judo and women’s sports. Her numerous achievements, including three world titles, an Olympic bronze medal, and five European championships, attest to her exceptional skills and unwavering dedication. Émane’s perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity have inspired many aspiring judokas, particularly young women, to pursue their dreams in the sport.
Awards:
– Three-time World Champion (2007, 2011, 2015)
– Bronze Medalist at the 2012 Olympic Games
– Five-time European Champion (2006, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2016)