Tcheuméo, 33, lost by ippon in the final to Israel's Inbar Lanir, 7th in the world. "I couldn't catch the kimono! I couldn't do anything!" she regretted.

The double Olympic medallist, who had not participated in the Worlds since 2018, brings to the French delegation a fifth medal since the beginning of these Worlds.

"It was quite difficult but I'm still proud of myself," she added. "It's been five years since I did the +World+, now I'm coming back with a world medal so it's nice, and next year I hope I'll be Olympic champion at home."

Exempted from the first round, the Frenchwoman started her day with a fight a little sluggish against Colombian Brenda Olaya before stepping up.

In the third round, the native of Bondy ipponized the Belarusian Darya Kantsavaya in just twenty seconds. She then impressed in the quarterfinals against Japanese Olympic champion Shori Hamada.

'Frustrating'

"It's frustrating because clearly (Lanir) is strong but I beat stronger before, that's what puts the balls on me," she said after receiving mixed zone support from her teammates in the France team.

Even if she was extremely disappointed by her defeat in the final, Tcheuméo is back in the race for the 2024 Olympics after a black hole of several years.

World champion in 2011, Olympic bronze medallist in London the following year, then silver at the Rio Games, the oldest of Les Bleues has come a long way back after a long period of doubts.

Audrey Tcheuméo (blue kimono) at the fight with Israel's Inbar Lanir in Doha, May 12, 2023 © KARIM JAAFAR / AFP

Relegated to the rank of French N.2 by the emergence of Madeleine Malonga in her -78 kg category, she had been deprived of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

But in recent months, it seems to be reborn. "When I look at how far I've come, very few people thought I could get back to my level and now I proved that I could be among the best in the world," she said. "Look, it looks like I'm 20!" she smiled.

"At 33, such longevity, to have a new world medal at his age. It's still quite exceptional," added his coach Christophe Massina.

Riner, six years later

In the men's competition, where no Frenchman was entered, the day was marked by the title of the Russian Arman Adamian, competing under neutral banner, in less than 100 kg.

After their exclusion due to the war in Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian judokas were readmitted as neutral athletes for these Worlds, one of the first major international competitions to follow the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee.

After Adamian's victory, acquired on penalties during extra time, the Russian flag was replaced for the ceremonial ceremony by a flag displaying the logo of the competition and the anthem of the International Federation was played instead of the Russian anthem.

Star judoka Teddy Riner with his sisters Clarisse Agbegnenou and Romane Dicko, on July 31, 2021 at the Tokyo © Games Franck FIFE / AFP/Archives

On Saturday, the competition continues with the +100kg category, where Teddy Riner, ten-time world champion, signs his return, six years after his last appearance on the world stage. Riner comes to Qatar with the desire to test himself in contact with the best judokas one year before the Paris Olympics, his big goal.

On the women's side, Romane Dicko will try to retain her title in the +78 kg category while Julia Tolofua will try to dethrone her.

© 2023 AFP