Martha didn’t come close to a medal on the World Judo Tour again until the back end of 2024 but in September it all began to fall into place. She won a bronze at the 2024 Zagreb Grand Prix. Her next outing was a big step up but she took that step admirably, winning bronze at the 2024 Tokyo Grand Slam. That was a huge result, fuelled by the belief of the French coaching team.
As we move into the new season and this exciting LA28 cycle, Martha Fawaz is continuing her ascension. In Paris she made an exhibition of her continued acceleration and propelled herself to the top of the -57 kg podium. It was an emotional win for her and she jumped high in the air to the applause of the crowd inside the Accor Arena.
“I’m so proud and happy to win my first gold here in Paris. As a French athlete, to do it here is incredible. As I won all I could think was ‘I did it!’ My family and friends were here too and they were in my mind throughout but especially as I won. It’s a big plus to have them in my life, they give my courage. I feel less stressed with them here.
I felt really pushed by the public too, by my public; they give a lot of power to the French athletes and I felt it!”
Martha was one of two home athletes to win gold on day one, the other being Romain Valadier Picard at -60 kg. She has set her bar and now drives into 2025 at full steam.