Daikii Bouba’s Unexpected Triumph

Author: Tatjana Flade

When French judoka Daikii Bouba came to the competition at the European Judo Championships
Seniors in Podgorica, on Wednesday, April 23, he felt it could be his perfect day. He was probably one of the few to think that as he was definitely not among the hot favourites for the podium spot. The little heralded Frenchman came out of nowhere for many to clinch the gold in the -66kg, his first international title.

Expect the unexpected in judo and anything can happen on the tatami. Bouba proved it once more.
“It is incredible”, the 29-year-old said. “It’s my second time at Europeans and this is my first
international title since the beginning of my career. I am so proud of myself, of all the work I was able
to do and of my progress.”

It all paid off on this day and it was the time for Bouba to finally step out of the shadow. His first
name Daikii means “be modest” in the dialect of his father, who comes from a village in the north of
Cameroon, the judoka revealed. He found his own interpretation for his name: progress without
being arrogant and never stop learning.

Bouba appeared confident all day, starting with his first contest. He sent off one opponent after the
other by Ippon: Andrej Klokov (LTU), Marcus Auer (AUT), Elios Manzi (ITA) and Luukas Saha (FIN)
before he met Murad Chopanov (IJF) in the final, “I was in top shape the whole day, I was extremely concentrated,” Bouba shared. “I was able to use all the errors my opponents made to finish the matches. I was not in danger as I paid attention to all the little details. I was really in a great shape mentally and physically.”

Chopanov in the final offered more resistance and Bouba had lost to him in their only other bout in
October 2024, in the final of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam. It was a close contest in Podgorica as well “In the final, I score in my first sequence but soon after, we were even. I admit that I had some doubts in that moment. I calmed down and I focused on my hands,” Bouba said. The contest went into the Golden Score where Bouba needed less than a minute to get the decisive point. He did it. He is the European Champion 2025.

Some athletes see early success, others have to wait long for their break through. Bouba belongs to
the second category, being maybe too modest, always in the shadow of others. He was considered a
talent but injuries got in his way, he had shoulder surgeries and the last time he was able to stand on the top spot of the podium was in 2021 when he won the nationals at the age of 25.

Now Bouba, who once was sent to judo as he was a very active child, has found his key to success together with his coaches. “Analysis is my strength, I believe. I can analyse my contests and grow from that. Also, I have a mental preparation put in place,” he noted. Breathing techniques play an important role for the newly minted European Champion.

“I use it during the competition and mainly in the warm up area,” Bouba explained. “In fact, my mind
has the tendency to wonder. Then I am less concentrated on the moment, on the combat. I start to
think about the people in the tribune, about what will happen later, what I will eat for dinner.”

It didn’t happen this time, Bouba kept his focus. “I took a good rest, almost a siesta and I had an important warm up before the final. This is also for the concentration, it puts me back into the match,” he shared. The European gold medal hangs around his neck but Bouba is hungry for more. “I feel I can still progress. My motivation is the World Championships in two months. I was not yet selected but now I think I climbed in the rankings and I want to go to the World Championships and get a medal.”

Author: EJU Media

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