Audrey Tcheuméo, Modex Brand Ambassador

Our next guest in the Modex Brand Ambassadors interview series is French judoka Audrey Tcheuméo, Olympic medallist, World and European Champion. We spoke with Audrey about her incredible performances, the values of a true champion and the traits of a great athlete.

Audrey is of Cameroonian heritage, and the passion for sports runs in her entire family. Christian Ebwea-Bile, her father, played in the Cameroon football team at the 1990 World Cup. Her mother, Marceline Tcheuméo-Tchato, played in the Cameroon national handball team, and her half-sister, Antoinette Nana Djimou, is a French international heptathlete.

Audrey is no stranger to World and European Judo Championships medals, wins and inspiring performances. In 2011 she became World Champion in Paris; she won the European title in the same year, but also in 2014, 2016 and 2017. In 2012, Audrey won bronze at the Summer Olympics in London. She also holds two titles in the French Championships. In the World Championship, Audrey took silver in 2014 and bronze in 2013. Tcheuméo contributed to European and World team titles with France and she won the Paris Grand Slam 4 times: in 2011, 2015, 2017 and  2018. More recently, she took gold at the 2020 Grand Slam in Budapest.

Performance – the best version of yourself

What does ‘performance’ mean to Audrey and what role did the team around her play in achieving that performance? “For me, performance means to express and reach the very best of you, physically and mentally. The team has helped me perform and gain confidence, as they always have my back. One of the biggest challenges, as an athlete, is staying consistent, year after year. It’s a constant battle with yourself.”

Speaking about her passion for judo started and how it started, Audrey recalls: “I started judo quite late, when I was 14. A friend introduced me to the sport, and I quickly fell in love with it and its combativeness. If I had to name one person in particular who inspired me, it would be Lucie Decosse, a retired female French judoka.”

Audrey has enjoyed many amazing moments throughout her career, but winning the gold medal at the 2011 World Championship in Paris remains closest to her heart. “I am proud of how far I’ve gone with my Judo career and the medals I’ve won so far. On the personal side, I’m proud that I’ve always kept the desire to grow, and I’ve managed to develop other passions, like fashion”, states Audrey.

The impact of technology in sport

We also asked Audrey about her view on concepts like ‘performance in tech’ and ‘tech for good’, as well as about the role technology plays in the world of sport. Here are her thoughts on this: “For me, tech for good relates to every day life as you use the tools that are around you to make a difference in the world. In sport, technology helps a lot by giving us indications on our performance and allowing us to be even more accurate.”

“What I like the most about Modex is its global vision, the day-to-day investment and the determination that goes with it to achieve the company’s goals”, Audrey adds.

The values of a true champion

Which are the values a champion like Audrey appreciates the most and what does she do to be a better athlete, and a better person? “Humility is the value of a true champion. I value that the most. Then comes courage, perseverance. To become a better athlete, you must question yourself every day – that’s the key for me. On a daily basis, I try to maintain a solid discipline with nutrition, rest and trainings.”

Family time, shopping and museums

Our conversation with Audrey ends on a lighter note, with some details about her hobbies and how she unwinds. “I spend a lot of my free time with my family. I have a younger brother who plays basketball in the USA. To disconnect from the noise around me, I listen to music. I’m also passionate about shopping and the fashion industry. I also like art, cinema and museums”, she concludes.

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