NAME: Romane DICKO
COUNTRY: FRANCE
CATEGORY: +78kg
WORLD RANKING POINTS: 5860
If there’s one thing Romane DICKO does better than throwing opponents flat onto the tatami, it is being unapologetically herself. This year, the French powerhouse wrapped up the season as the undisputed world rank leader of the +78kg category. But let’s get one thing straight, Dicko is not just a titan on the mat, she is also the kind of person who lights up a room with her infectious laugh and candid honesty.
This season was nothing short of incredible for her. She stormed her way to three gold medals from three IJF World Tour events, and then, to top it all off, she claimed bronze on home turf at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This achievement made her a double Olympic medallist.
At just 25-year-old, Dicko has already cemented her place as one of the most dominant judoka of her generation. Yet, what makes her victory lap this season so compelling is not just her technical prowess, it is her openness about the rollercoaster of emotions that come with being an elite athlete. Instead of hiding them behind a stoic facade, she shares them with the same energy she brings to a post-victory celebration: loud, proud, and full of heart.
In a sport that demands so much physical and emotional strength, the ability to stay true to yourself requires a rare kind of integrity, something which Dicko has in abundance.
Félicitations!
Author: Szandra Szogedi