In the recent 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, Team France was a force to be reckoned with. They won a whopping 33 medals in total, ranking as the 8th best-performing country during the recently concluded Olympic Games. Although France has performed better in past editions, that was still no easy feat! These athletes worked hard and earned their places in history. Some of them stood out for their podium finishes. Others made their marks thanks to their perseverance and sportsmanship. Among all the French athletes who competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, these were the stand-out superstars you should know about!
Earvin Ngapeth
With a total of 124 attacks, six blocks, and six aces, Earvin Ngapeth was the ultimate champion volleyball player in the past 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. It was thanks to his unbelievable prowess and striking ability that he was able to lead Team France to victory. For the first time in the country's history, France finally won the gold medal for men's volleyball. They followed a more humble 9th place finish in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, making for a comeback that's one for the history books. So now, as Ngapeth goes back home to France, he finally has a gold medal around his neck.
Source: Earvin Ngapeth Instagram Account
Clarisse Agbegnenou
In the recently concluded 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Clarisse Agbegnenou solidified her status as a legendary
judoka from France. Not to mention a sports icon worth looking up to. Leading the country's eight medal wins, she earned her first gold medal in the women's half-middleweight division when she defeated Slovakia's Tina Trstenjak. This podium finish continues her impressive winning streak, having already won five world championships and five European championships. And all under the age of 30? This 28-year-old French judoka definitely has a bright future ahead of her! One that will probably be filled with many more medals!
Source: Clarisse Agbegnenou Instagram Account
Grace Zaadi
The French women's handball team was under immense pressure at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. Not only did they have to follow up the men's victory over Denmark, but they also had to compete against Team Russia, who's already defeated them for the gold back in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. With a lot on her shoulders, Grâce Zaadi had to play her hardest to get that gold medal for her country. And ultimately, she succeeded! Not only did she lead Team France to victory, but she was also named the 'Best Playmaker' at the Olympic Games! What a feat!
Source: Grace Zaadi Instagram Account
Romain Cannone
Before Tokyo 2020, Romain Cannone was virtually just a rookie in individual fencing. In fact, he was supposed to be part of Team France for the 2020 Summer Olympics in the first place. He was simply on-hand as a replacement athlete. But when a team member failed a drug test and was banned from taking part in this edition, Romain Cannone was put on center stage. And boy, did he not disappoint! One of the true revelations of Tokyo 2020, he went on to win the first gold medal for individual fencing for France since Brice Guyart in Athens 2004.
Source: Romain Cannone Instagram Account
Rudy Gobert
Rudy Gobert was already an
NBA superstar prior to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He plays for Utah Jazz and is one of the leading center positions in the league. But now, he gets to add silver-medalist in his profile after finishing at second place in the men's basketball tournament. It wasn't a disappointing win by any means, considering he was up against a bevy of his American colleagues from Team USA. He was, however, the ultimate superstar from Team France, averaging a total of 12.2 points and 9.3 rebounds. A true mark of a French NBA superstar!
Source: Rudy Gobert Instagram Account
Anne-Cecile Ciofani
France's women's rugby team had a lot at stake for Tokyo 2020. They had a rather disappointing sixth-place finish in Rio 2016 and this time, they were determined to go for a podium finish. Especially the 27-year-old Anne-Cecile Ciofani, who comes from a family of Olympic athletes herself. With determination, she eventually led her team to rise up the ranks, finishing at silver in the recently-concluded Olympic Games, Meanwhile, Ciofani herself scored seven tries, becoming the tournament’s fourth-leading try scorer in women's rugby! She's living proof that to be an Olympic medalist, you have to eat, sleep, and breathe the sport you're playing!
Source: Anne-Cecile Ciofani Instagram Account
With lots of podium finishes, Team France did not disappoint in the recently concluded 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. They took the world by storm, rising up from previous disappointing losses and coming out on top this time around!
