Champion of France senior, the Agenese now aims to win the world gold, after a journey marked by great determination.
On March 15th, at the Teddy Riner dojo in Lormont, the career of Clément Herrero (25 years old) took on a whole new dimension: he became the senior French jiu-jitsu champion in all belt categories, in the -62 kg weight category.
Since 2025, the French Judo Federation has had the delegation of jiu-jitsu, and as a result, Clément Herrero will remain one of the first French champions in history. “I am the best Frenchman in my weight category, and it is a huge satisfaction. The result of many years of intensive training, starting with judo at the age of 7 or 8,” says this pure Agenese with a broad smile. “I am born and raised in Agen, studied 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 go through preparatory stages there before major competitions. The next challenge is the Paris tournament on April 24th and 25th, equivalent to the Paris Grand Slam in judo.” This competition could solidify Clément Herrero’s position in the French team, especially for the World Championship in Rome at the end of the season.
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Aside from Insep, the French champion has undertaken numerous training sessions in Japan to master all the subtleties and techniques of his martial art on the ground. “That’s where I discovered this sport. I have a master overseeing 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 and at the judo jiu-jitsu club that we founded in Colayrac-Saint-Cirq, which has over 60 members.” Clément’s younger brother, named Anton (17 years old), is also a fighter. These two brothers met in the final of the League championship, a qualifier for the Nationals: “Anton is the League champion and I am the French champion. It was a season goal.”
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For Clément Herrero, the next step is to find sponsors to continue traveling, afford a mental coach, and additional coaching. “Jiu-jitsu remains a niche sport that doesn’t pay,” explains this young man with a degree in Sciences and Techniques of Physical and Sports Activities, who works as a physical trainer.
The career of this exceptional fighter will be closely monitored, with hopes that businesses will associate their name with this athlete who embodies true ethical and sporting values.
