"After a whirlwind stay in Italy, I returned to the Balkans to resume my original route. I had diverted to Croatia briefly, to visit teams in Poreč, but with Montenegro and Albania next on the map, it was time to head south.
This season, I made a conscious effort to prioritise family. After years on the road, I invited my mother to join me in Bari. We took the ferry to Albania together, a journey that turned into a true nomadic experience, with cancelled boats, rebooked tickets and a night spent sleeping on chairs. It gave her a small glimpse into my daily life. Eventually, we arrived and spent beautiful days discovering Albania’s stunning landscapes and its complex and resilient history.
My first stop was Shkoder. In Albania, judo is still developing, with fewer than ten clubs in the entire country. This club, the first ever established there, was also the only one to reach out. The story of its founder, Anton, is extraordinary. During the harshest years of communism, he ran away, crossing borders to find work in Italy, Greece and Montenegro, where he discovered judo.
When the regime fell, he returned as a police officer. People began asking him to teach this ‘new’ sport and that is how judo started in Albania. In 2000, while preparing for the Olympic Games, he lost the use of his legs in an accident. Doctors gave him only months to live. Nearly 30 years later, he is still there, active, inspiring and fighting a different kind of battle. Spending time with him and his sons, who now lead the club, was one of the most moving experiences of my journey.
I then crossed into Montenegro. In Podgorica. I worked with the national team and several local clubs. While the structure is more developed than in Albania, the community remains small. Coaches like Ilija do everything, from ‘baby judo’ to hobbyists to elite seniors. In Western Europe, roles are often specialised but here one person carries the weight of the entire system. Ilija’s passion is immense. He works day and night, without rest, to raise the national level.
Next, I travelled to Kotor to fulfil a promise I had made months earlier. Dejan Popovic, a local coach, had insisted that I visit his club. He picked me up on the side of the road, with the Adriatic coastline stretching behind him. His dojo is located in a small school amphitheatre. The space is modest but the spirit inside is incredible. The students were disciplined, motivated and eager to learn.
Off the mat, Dejan and his wife welcomed me into their home, offering a rare glimpse into their daily life. What struck me most was their generosity. Instead of keeping the experience to himself, Dejan contacted nearby clubs. We organised a joint session with the Tivat team and an open seminar. Around 50 judoka gathered, intense, committed and full of energy.
Montenegro marked my 60th country. People often ask if I ever get bored. Standing in these small dojos, seeing the discipline and hunger of these athletes, I honestly cannot imagine how that would be possible. I am tired, my body hurts, but I keep moving forward.
I recently returned to France for my birthday and to film the third episode of my series on the French performance system. Training in one of the largest clubs in the country was a striking contrast to the small spaces I had just experienced.
As I prepare for Spain and Portugal, my approach has changed. This year, without a primary sponsor, every detail must be planned carefully. While this precision brings a certain peace of mind, it also limits the spontaneity that once defined my journey, but as always I adapt. No matter the situation, the mission remains the same."