Clarisse Agbégnénou, a French judoka and Olympic champion in the women's under 63 kg category in 2021, was defeated in the quarterfinals of the World Judo Championships in Baku on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. She lost to Hungary's Anna Kriza, who scored a waza-ari—a significant scoring move in judo—during the golden score period, which is the final stage of a match when competitors are tied. This result means Agbégnénou must now compete in the repechage rounds, a system that allows athletes who lose in the early rounds to still qualify for the bronze medal match. The French judoka's defeat in the quarterfinals and subsequent loss in the repechage rounds marked a disappointing end to her campaign in Baku. This outcome prevented her from competing for a new world title, which would have been her first since her 2021 Olympic victory. The event took place just six months after she gave birth to her second child, adding to the challenges she has faced in her return to elite competition. Judo competitions often test an athlete's physical and mental endurance, and Agbégnénou's performance in Baku highlighted the difficulties of returning to top-level sports after a significant life event. Her journey back to the sport has been marked by determination, as she balances motherhood with her athletic career. Despite the loss, Agbégnénou's participation in the World Judo Championships demonstrates her continued commitment to the sport. Her experience and resilience will likely play a key role in future competitions as she aims to reclaim her position among the world's best judokas.