Essential: Champion of France senior, the Agenais now aims to win the world gold, after a journey marked by great determination.
On March 15th, at the Teddy Riner dojo in Lormont, Clément Herrero (25 years old) took his career to a whole new level: he became the senior French jiu-jitsu champion, across all belts, in the -62kg category.
Since 2025, the French Judo Federation has held the delegation of jiu-jitsu and, therefore, Clément Herrero will remain among the first French champions in history. “I am the best Frenchman in my weight category, and it’s a huge satisfaction. The result of many years of intense training, starting with judo at the age of 7 or 8,” says this pure Agenais with a broad smile. “I am born and bred in Agen, did my studies at Palissy high school, and I am very attached to my territory.”
High-level athlete status
Clément Herrero regularly trains at Insep (National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance), thanks to his high-level athlete status. “I do preparatory stages there before major competitions. The next one is the Paris tournament on April 24th and 25th, equivalent to the Paris Grand Slam in judo.” This competition could solidify Clément Herrero’s place in the French team, especially for the world championships in Rome at the end of the summer.
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Apart from Insep, the French champion has participated in numerous training sessions in Japan to master all the subtleties and techniques of his ground martial art. “That’s where I discovered this sport. I have a master who follows my career, Yosuke Takagame. I learned Japanese, and I feel good in the southern part of the archipelago where the training facility is located.”
A family affair
During the recent French championships, Clément’s partner, Emma Duprat, also won a bronze medal. “She is a judo teacher. She teaches in Boé as well as at the judo jiu-jitsu club we founded in Colayrac-Saint-Cirq, which has over 60 members.” Clément’s younger brother, named Anton (17 years old), is also a fighter. It was these two brothers who met in the final of the League championship, a qualifying event for the Nationals: “Anton is the League champion and I am the French champion. It was a goal for the season.”
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For Clément Herrero, the only thing left is to find sponsors to continue traveling, afford a mental coach, and hire coaches. “Jiu-jitsu remains a niche sport that does not pay,” explains this young man with a degree in Staps (Science and Techniques of Physical and Sports Activities), who works as a fitness coach.
The career of this exceptional athlete will be closely monitored, with the hope that companies will associate their name with this fighter who embodies true ethical and sporting values.
