This is a true story, or maybe not. What do you think?

Her name is Milly, a fourteen year old living in a French town of just over twelve hundred people. Excellent student, first in her class for years; intelligent, excellent reader. Milly is also an athlete!

She has enjoyed a bit of everything, from athletics, swimming, climbing, to other disciplines imposed at school, such as basketball and volleyball. She has her preferences and of course these have changed over the years, but she has maintained her love of boxing for the past five years.

Every Wednesday, rain or shine, Milly prepares her bag and goes to train. There, in addition to moving, attacking and defending, Milly has learned a code; rules of coexistence and respect. Young boxers, boys and girls between the ages of ten and seventeen, greet before and after combat, apply themselves thoroughly, behave seriously while having fun and improving their qualities.

Milly likes Mohammed Ali, knows who he was because she has been informed and has seen the films and reports on the boxing legend. Of course she also has a poster of the phenom in her room.

There are others, reflecting Milly's personality. There are animals, landscapes, photos of space and some other things. Milly is not interested, at the moment, in practising judo, because she loves boxing and does not plan to quit or change her discipline, but next to the Mohammed Ali poster, there is another one in her private collection. It is a photo of a certain Teddy Riner, celebrating the achievement of his tenth World title. "Because he's my favorite athlete," says Milly. Not much to add.

There they are, the two of them, sharing a wall in a teenager's room: the best boxer of all time with the best judoka of his time.

See also
YOG Dakar 2026
Preparing for Dakar 2026: The IJF Youth Camp Offers More Than Training

20. Jul. 2026 / With the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 fast approaching, ...

News
Technical Development: a Different Angle

19. Jul. 2026 / The now long-established World Judo Tour has become ...

Judo Culture
Understanding the Judo Moral Code

17. Jul. 2026 / The Judo Moral Code occupies a special place in the ...

Gender Equality
Sakura Judo to Empower Women in Peru

17. Jul. 2026 / The International Judo Federation will launch the next ...

News
Refereeing Seminar in Lima to Welcome Referees, Coaches and Athletes

17. Jul. 2026 / The International Judo Federation, in co-operation ...

LA28 Olympic Games
Join the LA28 Volunteer Crew: Be Part of the Olympic Journey

16. Jul. 2026 / With exactly two years to go until the Opening Ceremony ...

News
São Tomé and Príncipe Celebrates Independence Through Judo

15. Jul. 2026 / The Judo Global of São Tomé and Príncipe Association ...

Para Judo
PARA Judo - São Paulo Brings a Memorable Weekend to a Close

12. Jul. 2026 / After two days of world class competition at the IBSA ...

Para Judo
The Art of Guiding

12. Jul. 2026 / Spectators focus their attention on the athletes, naturally. ...

Para Judo
More Than a Medal Table

12. Jul. 2026 / At the end of every competition, eyes inevitably turn ...

Para-Judo
PARA Judo - Another Day of World Class Para Judo in São Paulo

11. Jul. 2026 / The second day of the IBSA Judo Grand Prix São Paulo ...

Para-Judo
The Essence of Movement

11. Jul. 2026 / Jigoro Kano Shihan defined judo as Seiryoku Zenyo, ...

Para Judo
Trust Comes First

11. Jul. 2026 / Judo is often described as an individual sport, which, ...

INTERVIEW EXPRESS
Shishime Ai (JPN)

08. Jun. 2018 / The next reigning world champion to be invited to answer ...

News
5 Key Takeaways from judo’s first Tokyo 2020 qualifier

06. Jun. 2018 / Highlights from Hohhot Grand Prix 2018

VIDEO
Judo for the World in Iran

07. Jun. 2018 / In April 2018, the International Judo Federation and ...

Meeting
JUDO: A Beneficial Cause

07. Jun. 2018 / 'Society should believe in sport as a beneficial cause ...