The Montpellier residents were not unworthy in winning their round of 16 of the European mixed team club championship. Then, the step was too high for Arthur Combeau's judokas.
Invited to participate in the Champions League, Montpellier Judo Olympic honored its colors in front of its audience at the FDI Stadium. For the first time in its history, the club of president Christel Lavaud reached these competitive heights. And for his very first match in the Champions League, against Sartrouville, he offered suspense and spectacle to his supporters.
Leading 3 fights to 1, the MJO first equalized thanks to the success of Angel Gustan, 2024 French champion in the + 100kg category, and Emma Melis. Hugo David, carried by the spectators of the usual Montpellier handball hall, then gave victory to his team (4-3).
In the quarter-final, against the Serbs of Red Star Belgrade, the step was too high (4-1 defeat) but Arthur Combeau's judokas did not disappoint, like the Italian rookie Irène Pedrotti victorious against the Japanese Riho Sanganji.
Reversed in the repechage table, the Montpellier residents crossed paths with the Georgians from Golden Gori. There too, despite Angel Gustan's superb victory, they could do nothing against a stronger opponent (1-4).
Seventh in the final ranking, the Héraultais could be proud of their home run and look forward to the quarter-final of the Judo Pro League at the beginning of January in Orléans.
