By Thomas Lapointe
Published on
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It’s already over. Sunday August 8, 2021, Tokyo Olympics ended with a grandiose closing ceremony and a handover in Paris 2024. If the French athletes were not unworthy, France finished eighth in the medal ranking with 33 medals, ten of which were gold and collected nine charms less than ‘in Rio in 2016, a disappointing performance.
Judo celebrates
Present in large numbers in the Japanese capital, athletes from or licensed in Seine-Saint-Denis were however the pride of the department. In total, nine of them brought back precious metals, often collective medals thanks to the success of the French Handball, Volleyball, Rugby and Basketball teams.
Among the individual awards, we find judokate Madeleine Malonga, Olympic vice-champion in the under 78 kg category. Licensed at Etoile Sport du Blanc-Mesnil and favorite for gold, the 2019 world champion was very disappointed with her performance, collapsing in front of the cameras after her fight. Only 27 years old, we wish her gold for Paris 2024.
????The Olympic title for our champions #BlancMesnil !
????For the first mixed judo event in the history of the Olympic Games, France wins gold!
???????? Congratulations to this team, in particular to Madeleine Malonga and Margaux Pinot from ES Blanc-Mesnil Judo! pic.twitter.com/gf0KV3JClk
– Thierry MEIGNEN (@ThierryMeignen) July 31, 2021
Although eliminated in the category of less than 70kg, Margaux Pinot, also registered with the club of Blanc-Mesnil however shone in the team event by winning gold against Japan in the final. The French thus became the first Olympic champions in team judo. A feat against the Japanese team, favorite and at home.
Team sports at the top
In team sports, the harvest of medals has proven to be fruitful. To start with rugby sevens players, Olympic vice-champions after a narrow loss to New Zealand in the final. Three of them play at AC Bobigny rugby 93 and came back with a silver medal in their suitcases: Anne-Cécile Ciofani, holder and test scorer, she enriched her record after being vice-world champion in 2018, Nassira Kondé and Joanna Grisez, both reservists also left with medals.
At basket, the two French teams are adorned with medals, silver for men and bronze for women. Results that made the happiness of Diandra Tchatchouang who plays for club The Courneuve. Native de Villepinte, the 1m89 wing wore the number 93 for her first Olympics, a number that brought her luck.
For men, although playing at ASVEL in Villeurbanne, Moustapha Fall, the giant pivot of 2m18 is from Neuilly-sur-Marne and signed his first contract at 17 at Villemomble. A club that is certainly very proud of its silver medal.
The French delegation ???????? back from @Tokyo2020 next to @BrigitHenriques @RoxaMaracineanu and @Anne_Hidalgo brandishing the Olympic flag, symbol of the handover! #Olympic Games #GamesTogether pic.twitter.com/vENNpSLI7D
– FranceOlympique (@FranceOlympique) August 9, 2021
At handball, the French teams did even stronger with two Olympic titles. Kalidiatou Niakaté who discovered this sport at Aubervilliers brings gold home after being European and world champion with Les Bleues.
Finally, the last medal for the sportsmen of Seine-Saint-Denis went to a fencer, Anita Blaze who practices his art within the Aubervilliers Escrime club. Foil specialist, she had to be content with the silver medal by team foil against the formidable Russians.
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