Clarisse Agbegnenou secured her place in judo history at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo by claiming her fourth world title in 2019, eventually becoming the most successful French judoka. Born in Rennes in 1992, she balances dual citizenship with Togo and France, maintaining a competitive career that spans over a decade of elite international tournament participation.
Early Development and Career Start
Born in 1992, Agbegnenou began her competitive path as a member of Arts Martiaux d'Asnières. In 2008, she secured the European cadet championship and reached the French vice-championship in the under 57 kg weight category. By 2009, she moved to the under 63 kg division, claiming a French junior title and enrolling at INSEP. That same year, she joined the Judo Club Escales Argenteuil, working under coach Ahcène Goudjil. Following a 2013 incident involving violence at INSEP, she faced disciplinary action from the French Federation and a court-mandated community service sentence in 2014.
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Agbegnenou rose to prominence in the under 63 kg category, winning her first international gold at the 2013 European Judo Championships. She captured her first world title in 2014 by defeating Yarden Gerbi. Her career trajectory included winning world championships in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2023. At the 2018 World Championships in Baku, she defeated Miku Tashiro, and in 2019, she secured her fourth global crown in Tokyo. She also earned five European championship titles between 2013 and 2020.
Olympic Performance and Recognition
At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Agbegnenou won the silver medal, falling to Tina Trstenjak in the final. She achieved her primary goal at the Tokyo 2020 Games, defeating Trstenjak to claim gold in the under 63 kg division, followed by a mixed team gold medal alongside teammates including Teddy Riner and Romane Dicko. She earned a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Outside of the mat, she is an HEC Paris graduate and holds honors including the Knight of the Legion of Honour.
Fast facts
- Born: 1992, Rennes
- Citizenship: France and Togo
- Primary category: Under 63 kg judo
- Olympic Medals: 1 Gold (2020), 1 Silver (2016), 1 Bronze (2024)
- Education: HEC Paris
- Awards: Knight of the Legion of Honour (2021)
- Major Recognition: L'Équipe Champion of Champions (2018, 2019)
Questions readers ask
How many world titles has Clarisse Agbegnenou won?
She has won six gold medals at the World Championships, with victories spanning from 2014 to 2023.
What is her highest achievement at the Olympic Games?
She won two gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, one in the individual under 63 kg category and one in the mixed team event.
Achievements
- Champion des champions français de L'Équipe
- Knight of the National Order of Merit
- Competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics
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