Clarisse Agbegnenou Leads Ambitious French Judo Team at 2026 World Championships in Baku

France's judo team arrives at the 2026 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, with ambitions led by Clarisse Agbegnenou, who is competing roughly seven months after giving birth to her second child.

Agbegnenou is aiming for a seventh world title at the championships, which begin Sunday, a milestone that would further cement her standing as one of the sport's most decorated athletes. Her return to top-level competition so soon after childbirth has drawn attention within the judo community as a notable athletic achievement in its own right.

The French delegation will compete without Teddy Riner, one of the sport's most dominant heavyweight champions, who has withdrawn from the event. Despite his absence, the team has set its sights on matching France's record number of world title wins, reflecting the overall depth of the current national squad across weight categories.

The World Judo Championships bring together competitors from across the globe and serve as a key benchmark ahead of future Olympic cycles, with results often shaping world rankings and qualification pathways. France has historically been one of the strongest judo nations internationally, producing a steady stream of world and Olympic medalists.

Competition in Baku is expected to draw significant attention from judo federations worldwide, with France's performance, and Agbegnenou's pursuit of a seventh title in particular, likely to be a central storyline of the championships.