"I'd like to announce that I'm embarking on a double project for Los Angeles 2028: qualifying for the Games in judo and trying to make the French rugby team! A daring challenge, but as I often say: Those who dare win," the athlete announced on her social media pages.

A post shared by Amandine Buchard 🇫🇷 (@buchardamandine_52)

Buchard is a five-time World bronze medallist. She was third in the -48 kg category in Chelyabinsk in 2014 and third in Baku in 2018. She failed to qualify for Rio 2016 at the age of 21, but then moved up to the -52kg category and cemented her place in the French national team by competing in two Olympic Games, winning silver in Tokyo and bronze in Paris. She also won three bronze medals in the last three consecutive World Championships. 

Now, at the age of 33, she is aiming for her third Olympic appearance. According to the athlete she likes to break the codes and her challenger's soul pushes her to explore new horizons.

"Rugby was my resource activity to prepare for the Paris Games. With a period of tatami saturation due to the sequence without a real break between Tokyo and Paris, this discipline gave me a second wind and the energy to go all the way and win a bronze medal on 28 July," explained Buchard.

Buchard has received a lot of support, but not everyone is happy with her new challenge. She will be without a judo club from 1 September as her dual project is not compatible with PSG Judo. "My priority will therefore be to find a judo club that trusts me and will support me in this double mission, with the conviction that my performance in judo and my development in rugby will open the doors of the French team. Two complementary sports, the perfect combination to go further!," concluded the athlete.