For Marine Gilly, 2025 has been a season of steady, hard-earned stepping stones, measured progress built on belief. Four medals on the European Open Tour confirmed her consistency, making her the most successful athlete on the circuit this year. More importantly, those results showed she is drawing ever closer to the IJF World Tour.
“It really comes down to experience,” she begins. “I work every day, technically and tactically, to be consistent at this level. The goal is to reach Grand Prix and Grand Slam podiums. I hope I will soon get the opportunity to compete on the IJF circuit again and win a medal there.”
The French women’s -48kg category is famously unforgiving. Keeping up is hard; breaking through is harder. “In France the level is very competitive,” she explains. “There is a lot of rivalry, so it’s important to stay among the best French athletes if you want to win medals in European Opens or Grand Prix events. You always have to do more, especially mentally, to medal at this level.”
Beyond Olympic medallist Shirine Boukli, Marine lists a familiar group of domestic rivals: “There are several strong athletes: my little sister Coralie Gilly, Mélanie Clément, Anaïs Perrot, Laura Espadinha… the competition is intense.”
Still, her motivation is fuelled by those small glimpses of how close she is to the world’s elite. One came earlier this year, on the biggest stage of them all. “When I fought Tara Babulfath at the Paris Grand Slam, I realised I wasn’t far from the top. She had just won an Olympic medal, and I lost in golden score after seven minutes, from a yuko on the ground. I felt good. I wasn’t far from turning the match my way. That really motivated me.”
Marine and her younger sister Coralie have faced each other multiple times on the international stage, a scenario as emotional as it is rare. “It’s always difficult to fight your little sister,” she admits. “We are very close. It’s complicated because emotions take over.” It’s tough for their mother too: “She wants us both to win. She doesn’t really watch when we fight each other.”
Yet judo remains a shared passion, a family rhythm that has shaped all three Gilly sisters (Amélie is the eldest). “We experience unforgettable moments around the world together,” Marine says. “We support each other every day in training and in competition. These are memories we will keep for life.”
Coralie remains her closest partner on the circuit: “In competition, I am always cheering for my sister. Our dream is always to meet in the final. When that happens, our objective is achieved.”
Their family roots in judo run deep: Marine’s older sister, Amélie, competed internationally as a junior and is now part of the French ju-jitsu ne-waza team. “My father was our coach at our first club. Judo really runs in the family.”
Gilly sisters: Marine, Amélie and Coralie
Marine’s weekly schedule is relentless: strength sessions, technical work at her club, randori at INSEP, competitions on weekends, and teaching judo during the week, all while completing her coaching qualification. “My training week is dense,” she says with understatement. “I have strength training, technical sessions, randori at INSEP with the best French judoka, plus competitions and the classes I teach. It’s a lot.”
Financially, she relies solely on her club, Judo Club Maisons-Alfort. “They support me but I also work to finance my career. I am looking for partners and sponsors to help me continue at a high level.”
To stay grounded, she protects her life outside judo: “I am very organised. I like spending time with my friends, my family, my boyfriend, and my little dog. It is important to disconnect from high-level sport and recharge.”
Her perfect day off? “A long lie-in, a brunch at home with my partner, an afternoon of shopping, I love that, and a girls’ night with my friends to chat and relax.”
Marine often describes herself as “a dog mum,” and Tyara is more than a pet, she is emotional balance. “When I come home from a tough day of training, it’s a real pleasure to see her,” she smiles. “If I have had a difficult day, I know she will be waiting and she will make me smile. On my days off or on holiday, she is always part of my routine. She is a little bubble of love.”
Tyara even has her own Instagram account: “We started it to post photos of her when she was small and growing up. We don’t use it much anymore but it was mostly for us and our friends!”
Tayra is all around and very involved in judo.
Marine’s strongest support comes from her partner, former national-level judoka Thomas Macrez. “We met through judo more than 14 years ago,” she says. “We trained together in the French cadet team and at the Bordeaux national training centre. We have been together for over 11 years.”
Thomas retired from competitive judo three years ago, but his presence remains central. “He helps me every day,” Marine says. “If I need to work technically, he is my partner. He knows the girls in my category, he knows my strengths and he has an outside perspective. He has real confidence in me and that’s a huge support.”
Having a partner who understands elite sport is priceless: “He knows the discipline, the doubts, the sacrifices. It brings balance. He is the person I confide in.”
Looking ahead, Marine’s aspirations are bold but clear. “My ambitions for the next few years are to win medals in Grand Prix and Grand Slams, qualify for the World and European Championships and take a medal there, and of course, I still have the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games in mind, even if competition in France is very strong.”
Breaking into the World Tour would mean everything: “It would be a real reward, to express myself and win competitions internationally but first, we have to prove ourselves in France.”
Her long-term dream? She doesn’t hesitate: “My biggest dream is an Olympic medal at Los Angeles 2028, plus European and world medals but above all, I want to enjoy my sport, go to training with motivation, and live these unique moments fully. We only live this once.”
Travelling helps her find that energy. “I love travelling, Bali, Dubai, Mexico. It helps me disconnect completely and restart with fresh energy for big training periods.”
Marine knows exactly where the toughest battles lie. “In France, the top five in the category: Boukli, Perrot, Espadinha, Clément, and my younger sister Coralie, plus the young ones coming up. Internationally, left-handers give me trouble, especially the Japanese and Chinese, they are fast, explosive and strong with the hands. Also, the Russian athletes are physically strong and very good on the ground.”
Her dream training partner? “Uta Abe. She is complete, fast, fluid, strong standing and on the ground. She has explosive judo. I love watching her.”
Competition doesn’t stop her from forming bonds. “My closest friend on the circuit is Blandine Pont. She is also my best friend outside judo. We are inseparable; we even get called Tic and Tac! We train together every day and we love to laugh.”
She believes friendships don’t interfere with competition: “What happens on the tatami stays on the tatami. Outside, we can talk and get to know each other.”
Asked for her message to the next generation, Gilly is clear: “Never give up. Be determined. The road will be hard, with constant questioning but it’s the most beautiful thing you will ever experience. The emotions, the people you meet, you won’t find that anywhere else. It is not always easy but it’s worth it. What I am living is unique and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.”
Author: Hans Van Essen