French Judo Legend Clarisse Agbegnenou’s Ground-Breaking Journey: from Being in a Coma at Birth to Winning Olympic Gold

  “You must not only have competitiveness but ability, regardless of the circumstance you face, to never quit.”

-—Abby Wambach

28-year-old Clarisse Agbegnenou is a French judoka and one of the most decorated judo athletes in the world. She was born 2 months premature alongside her twin brother and declared ‘medically dead’ for several minutes before they could get her to breathe again. Following this, she had kidney surgery and was in a coma for a week. She has since become an ambassador for a French organization that helps premature babies and their parents, according to the IOC website.

As a child, Agbegnenou was a hyperactive child which led to her teacher recommending her to start playing judo to help her calm down. She followed her advice and began the sport at age 10 and calls it the best decision she ever took. She began her professional career at the age of 10 and her performance profile is unbelievable! She is a five-time world champion, three-time European champion, three-time national champion (Seniors), two-time national champion (Juniors), two-time European team and club championships each and an eighteen-time champion of IJF Grand Slams; Grand Prix and World Masters, according to Judo Inside. 

Agbegnenou was France’s flag-bearer at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games and her monumental first place victory in the 63kg weight category judo competition at Tokyo means that she has now won every single major title (multiple times I might add!) in her sport. This was also her first Olympic gold and second medal as she has previously won a silver at the Rio Olympic in the same event. In addition, she aspires to work as a life coach following her retirement from judo. “I would like to be alongside people, helping them throughout their lives, as well as athletes, employees and children who are a little bit lost and who might need to be oriented,” she told the IOC.

Believing that “Impossible is Nothing”, Clarisse Agbegnenou is a groundbreaking athlete and a spectacular athlete whose prowess has amazed spectators worldwide. Her historic and marvelous achievements that rightfully showcase her skill, dedication and hard work are an inspiration to young athletes across the globe. 

#GCPWishesClarisseAgbegnenou #GCPAWishesOlympians

Team Global Child Prodigy Congratulates Clarisse Agbegnenou for winning Gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This will inspire millions of people worldwide, including children who aspire to be like her. 

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