Paris 2024 was an Olympic games of firsts and redemption for judoka Shirine Boukli. Three years after being eliminated from the first round of competition in Tokyo, Boukli made her country and family proud by taking home France’s first medal in the 2024 Paris Olympic games. 

Boukli comes from a family of judokas. “My father, brothers and cousins all did judo. I remember receiving my kimono (judogi) for my fourth birthday,” she said. After receiving that first kimono, Boukli began practicing judo at her uncle’s club, Aramon Judo Club in Nimes, France. Boukli recalls being “very keen on the sport straight away, both training and the competitions.”

Redemption in Paris 

At just 25 years old, Boukli boasts an extensive list of achievements and accomplishments—taking 1st place at the European Championships in 2020, 2022, and 2023 and 2nd place at the 2022 World Championships. But one thing that was missing from Boukli’s impressive list of achievements was an Olympic medal. 

After a disappointing showing at the 2021Tokyo Games, Boukli set her sights on redemption and began training for the next Olympics, which would take place in her home country. Her experience in Tokyo, though difficult, fueled her determination. 

Boukli’s hard work paid off when she took home Bronze and collected France’s first medal of the 2024 Games. “I said to myself this bronze medal is amazing. My family [is] here and can see it all and share it with me. To finish at 7th or 5th place was not possible, I couldn’t allow it,” Boukli reflected.  

“I know they’re always there, I know they’re my strength, and when I need to recharge my batteries, I know I can count on them. And that’s it for me: they’re my pillar and I fight for them every day.”

Shirine Boukli

Fighting for Family 

Boukli credits her family for shaping both her success and journey. “I know they’re always there, I know they’re my strength, and when I need to recharge my batteries, I know I can count on them. And that’s it for me. They’re my pillar and I fight for them every day,” she said. Boukli acknowledges the immense sacrifices they’ve made to support her pursuit of her dreams. It was a special moment not just for Boukli, but for her entire family and all of France. “It was a grateful moment for all of my family. They knew what I did for that moment,” she said. 

Beyond the Mat 

Not only has Boukli distinguished herself in the sport as a competitor through championships,  titles and Olympic medals, but she also stands out as a role model for embracing femininity in sports. She inspires not just judokas but women athletes across various sports. Boukli is known for her distinct style, including her gem studded teeth. 

This embellishment is more than just a fashion statement: It’s a reflection of her vibrant personality and positive outlook. She describes her choice of gems as having a “sunshine more” effect. When asked about the significance of the gems on her teeth, Shirine described how “it’s my style because it’s a little bit like sunshine more. Somebody said to me you are like the sun, so it’s more sun… sun plus, plus!”

Through this playful and personal expression, Boukli reflects a sense of joy and brightness, both on and off the mat. The Paris Olympic Games were truly a stage for Boukli’s remarkable journey of firsts and redemption. Transforming her disappointment in Tokyo to a triumph in Paris, Boukli’s story is a testament to perseverance, familial support, and the power of self-expression.