European bronze medalist at the end of 2023, Frenchman Alpha Djalo failed to climb onto the world podium in the -81 kg category, eliminated in the second round of the World Judo Championships in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Selected for the Olympic Games, Djalo dismissed the German Dominic Ressel in the first round before being beaten, in overtime, by the Uzbek Sharofiddin Boltaboev.
Although willing on the tatami, Djalo was brought down by his opponent after a minute of overtime.
Even if he loses again, like at the European Championships, in the 2nd round, Djalo wants to “find the positive in this competition, even if there is the negative”. Two months before the Olympics, “that doesn’t give me any doubt,” he assures, “I’m starting to come back little by little, even if things have to be resolved, I have increasingly strong attacks. “.
“On the rhythm, on the attacks it’s positive,” he continues, “my attacks put people in danger but I have to put values (waza-ari or ippon). It’s an area of work.”
The 27-year-old Frenchman believes that this World Championship, seen above all as preparation for the Olympics, “allows him to see” what he must “improve” to “be ready on July 30”, D-day for his category at the Arena Champ-de-Mars.
In this category, Daniyl Zoubko, another Frenchman, lost in the first round against Tajik Somon Makhmadbekov, world No.7. The 22-year-old judoka was not initially registered but took advantage of the absence of Teddy Riner to obtain his ticket and gain experience at the highest level.