Olympic Champion Cathy Fleury Inspires the Next Generation of Female Judoka
June 08, 2026
Welsh Judo recently welcomed former Olympic and World Champion Cathy Fleury to Wales for a special female-focused masterclass designed to inspire and empower women and girls in judo as part of their “Girls That Judo” initiative.
Fleury, one of France’s most decorated judoka, enjoyed an outstanding competitive career, winning Olympic gold in the half-middleweight division at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. She also claimed World Championship gold in 1989, alongside bronze medals at the 1991 and 1995 World Championships.
The event brought together female judoka from across Wales and the wider UK, offering participants a rare opportunity to learn from one of the sport’s true greats while training in an inclusive and supportive environment.
Speaking during the event, Steph Walker, Participation & Performance Coordinator at Welsh Judo, highlighted the importance of creating opportunities specifically for women and girls in judo, particularly in smaller nations where female athletes can often find themselves as the only girl training within their club.
“The motivation behind this is purely because when I was growing up, there wasn’t a space like this. I believe it’s important that females can get together and train alongside people like Cathy.”
For many young judoka in Wales, opportunities to regularly train alongside other female athletes can be limited, making events like this especially valuable.
“We’re quite small in Wales, but to have the females able to get together in one place is really important because some clubs around Wales, she could be the only female on the mat,” they added. “So for them to have a place to come is really important for us.”
The session saw over 50 girls take to the mat, ranging from young beginners to experienced competitors, all benefiting from Fleury’s technical expertise and insight into the renowned French judo system.
The masterclass also showcased the importance of visible female role models within the sport, with participants able to learn not only from Cathy Fleury but also from leading female figures within Welsh Judo.
Speaking about the impact of the event, former World No.1 and Team GB judoka Natalie Powell said:
“To have somebody of her calibre in Wales is invaluable. There’s not very often you get somebody like Cathy in Wales, or anywhere in the world, so to have that opportunity on our doorstep is just fantastic.”
The event reinforced the inclusive nature of judo and the value of creating spaces where women and girls can build confidence, develop friendships, and feel part of a wider judo community.
“Very often you’re going to be the only girl or the only woman on the mat,” former GB judoka Jo Melen explained. “So that opportunity to realise that you’re connected to something much bigger is really important. Women’s judo in France has a huge tradition, so to replicate that here today is just a fantastic opportunity.”
Welsh Judo also announced plans to continue growing opportunities for female participation, including a Female Fighters Festival later this year aimed at bringing even more women and girls together through judo.
Welsh Judo would like to extend a sincere thank you to the French Judo Federation for their support in helping make this fantastic event possible, and to Cathy Fleury for sharing her knowledge, experience, and passion for the sport with the next generation of female judoka.
