"Frustrating": the term was repeated endlessly by the Frenchwoman at the end of her day of fighting.

Often a medalist in the major events of the judo calendar, the 24-year-old fighter has never managed to win individual gold in an international competition, she who had come close to Olympic gold at the Tokyo Olympics. In the senior category, she is still waiting for a first world podium.

"Obviously I'm disappointed and I always expect more from my competitions. Not being able to get what you want is very frustrating. And when it happens again, the frustration grows," she said between sobs.

"It's always harder and harder and especially as I approach the Games (in Paris), I want to do great things, to get on the top step of the podium. Not being able to do it is super hard."

Cysique's day started with a diesel warm-up against Cuba's Arnaes Odelin Garcia, then a convincing victory by ippon after immobilizing Germany's Pauline Starke. In the third round, she had to go all the way to the Golden Score to dominate Georgia's Eteri Liparteliani.

Despite the sound encouragement of the France team, her girlfriend Romane Dicko in the lead, she then lost by ippon in the quarterfinals to Christa Deguchi, world champion in 2019. On her way, the Canadian then won another world gold against Japan's Haruka Funakubo.

Back on the mats for her repechage final, Cysique fell on a waza-ari during the Golden Score, beaten by another Canadian world champion, Jessica Klimkait, crowned in 2021.

"Already in the quarters it was very hard to lose because it's still a dream that falls. To not have the gold medal, to be world champion," she said. "I mobilized to get the medal but it wasn't enough, it was stronger."

Gaba with her guts

Cysique was playing her first competition since December when she lost -- and injured -- in the final of the Jerusalem Masters. But the Frenchwoman did not want to "find excuses". "The injury was one thing but I managed to come back and I felt good. I didn't have pain in my knee," she said.

© KARIM JAAFAR / AFP

"Today, Sarah was not as good as she is able to be. She lacked a little rhythm," said her coach Séverine Vandenhende.

On the third day of competition, the Blues recorded their first day without a medal since the other Frenchman of the day, Joan-Benjamin Gaba, was eliminated in the second round.

But despite the defeat, the 22-year-old Frenchman's "magnificent" attitude was praised by his coach. "You have a boy who commits himself with his guts, with his courage and energy," said Stéphane Auduc. "Today we are still missing some details but we are not far away, we are on set-up and experience. It's going to happen."

Wednesday will mark the return of the double Olympic champion of Tokyo Clarisse Agbégnénou (-63 kg), ten months after the birth of her daughter. On the men's side, Alpha Djalo, who recently climbed on four podiums between Grand Slams and Masters, will defend his chances in -81 kg.

© 2023 AFP