There was something of the handover on Saturday on the tatami mats of the Colisée in Chalon-sur-Saône where the French D1 Championships were taking place. Reigning champion in the -52 kg category, where her sister Priscilla won in 2010 and 2014, Astride Gneto (also titled in 2016 and 2019, 2021) lost in the final on Saturday… without fighting.
The 28-year-old Porto-Vecchiaise has indeed withdrawn due to huge back paincontracted during her victory in the quarter-final against Mathilde Chevalier, after a golden score of 4'24! The youngest of the Gneto sisters had started her tournament perfectly with a first victory against Patricia Fortel, then Jade Desbuis (31st Frenchwoman). After the quarter, Astride Gneto gritted her teeth to get rid of Léa Beres, 21 years old, graduate of Bourg-la-Reine, junior world medalist in 2023 and 5th in the national ranking.
Sisters Gneto and Julia Tolofua at the European Championships in Zagreb
In the absence of Amandine Bouchard, number one in -52 kilos, qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games but involved in rugby sevens and without a judo club for the moment, the former resident of the Corsica hopefuls pole had all her chances against Julie Weill known as Money, champion of the category in 2022, but within the reach of Astride Gneto. Unfortunately, the body did not follow and the title holder had to forfeit.
This category of less than 52 kilos remains one of the most competitive in the discipline with no less than thirty-three girls registered and, above all, young people who are pushing enormously. On the podium, with the Corsican judokate, in addition to Julie Weill known as Money, 25 years old, Lea Beres, therefore 21, Alyssia Poulange, 18 years old, shared third place.
The fact remains that with this title of vice-champion of France, Astride Gneto scores points and remains number two tricolor in its category.
