Boukli digs deep in Tbilisi and keeps her perfect European run alive

Shirine Boukli found a way again in Tbilisi. The French judoka claimed her fifth European Senior Championships title in her fifth appearance, giving France an immediate lift on the opening day. Even more striking, she still has not lost a contest at the European Championships.

This latest gold did not come easily. In the final, Boukli was pushed into a long and tense battle with Sabina Giliazova, with the match stretching into golden score. It ended only after eight minutes, when Giliazova received a Shido for false attack.

Boukli’s European record is still untouched.

Afterward, Boukli admitted the finish was not exactly how she wanted it. She said she would have preferred to win in a different way, but she also made clear that a victory remains a victory. That mix of honesty and ambition said a lot about her mindset after one of the toughest matches of her day.

The Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist also reflected on the way she approached the competition. She felt she had been thorough and careful with the details, even if that sometimes meant overworking certain phases and tiring herself out. Her style, as she explained, is naturally dynamic, and that constant drive was visible throughout the day.

What stands out is not only the medal count, but the consistency. Five appearances, five European titles, and still no defeat at this level is a remarkable run for a French athlete on one of judo’s most demanding stages. In Tbilisi, Boukli once again showed why she remains one of Europe’s defining names.

For France, her gold was also a tone-setter. Starting a championship with that kind of result can shift the whole mood of a team, and Boukli delivered exactly that spark.

Source: EJU_News