The next generation is here! The UGA judokas distinguished themselves at the 2026 French Junior Individual Judo Championships. They returned from the tatami mats in the Île-de-France region with one French championship title and one runner-up title.
Organized by the French Judo Federation, the 2026 French Junior Individual Judo Championships took place on March 28 and 29 at the Grand Dôme in Villebon-sur-Yvette (Essonne). During the competition, the young judokas from UGA proudly represented their club and their university.
These performances could earn some of them a spot on the French national team, giving them a chance to compete in the European Cup and qualify for the upcoming European Junior Championships!
Gold, Silver, and Top Finishes
Gabriel Wojtal, a sophomore in the Health Sciences program with a concentration in Nursing (IFSI), won a spectacular gold medal in the under-60-kg weight class. A member of CO Sartrouville Judo, he became the new reigning French junior champion in his weight class at the age of 19.
In the under-60-kg weight class, Baptiste De Auraujo, a first-year student in the STAPS bachelor’s program (UFR STAPS), took second place on the podium. A member of CO Sartrouville Judo, he claimed the title of 2026 French Junior Vice-Champion after a 5e The stage is set for the Cadet World Championships in August 2024.
An engineering student at the INP preparatory program (Grenoble INP - UGA) and a member of AS Monferrandaise, Lucien Tixier also posted strong results at the French Junior Championships, finishing 5the place in the -60 kg weight class,
On the women’s side, Aleyna Kupeli also distinguished herself in the -48 kg weight class. A first-year undergraduate student in Life Sciences (DLST) and a member of the Pays Viennois Judo Club, she returned from the tatami mats in the Île-de-France region with a solid 5th-place finish.e place.
Elite Sports on the UGA Tatami Mats
To help students balance their studies with elite sports, the UGA offers several innovative support programs, including the University Training and Coaching Centers (CUFE). Established in seven sports, including judo, the CUFEs are based on the pooling of resources: the university provides its sports facilities, while the sports community provides technical staff and coaches. Since September 2023, UGA judokas have also been able to join the Pôle France in Grenoble right on the UGA’s own tatami mats.
The CUFE Judo and the Pôle France Judo are the result of a collaboration between the UGA, France Judo, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Judo League, and the National Sports Agency (ANS). Its mission is to support elite athletes (listed by the Ministry of Sports), as well as athletes with potential (at the national level—FFJ junior or seniorfirst division).
Published on April 1, 2026
Updated on September 11, 2026
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