Mums in Judo: Automne Pavia How to get back on the mat after after pregnancy

This week on mums in judo, focus on Automne Pavia who tells us about her new life as a mum and the obstacles she is actually facing on her way back to the tatami. Engaged to Ashley McKenzie, Pavia is definitely one of the best under 57kg fighters of the last decade.

The French judoka won three European titles in 2013, 2014, 2016  and 5 European medals in a row from 2012 to 2016. She was also two times bronze medalist at the 2014 and 2015 world championships and grabbed bronze at London Olympic Games in 2012.

After her seventh place at Rio Olympics in 2016, Pavia needed to cut with Judo as she had  no motivation again . In July, she became the happiest woman  in the world with the birth of her little Lana-Rose. She wanted to be honest by talking about her pregnancy, but she didn't realize that people would take it as an end of career...

Throw back on January 2017, when Pavia posts the wonderful news on her Facebook fan page: "Ever since I was a little girl, I have several dreams... Among those dreams, I wanted to become a great champion and also have lot of kids. I have spent a lot of years of my life to reach  the first one and today I feel like I need a break to achieve the following. Today I am happy to announce that I will soon be a mum."

At that moment, the native of Peronne doesn't expect that the announcement of her pregnancy will be like a hurricane especially regarding the following of her career:

"After US Orléans club learned that I was going to give birth, I received directly an email to break my contract. I was devastated " explains "Pavlof". Moreover, Helene Receveaux her main rival in the under 57 kilos, bronze medalist at the last World Championships and also younger than her, is from the same club.

At that moment, Pavia is aware that the club doesn't believe anymore  in her potential : " My little girl is about to come and I wanted to announce you that from now I won't fight anymore for Orléans. After 5 years in the club, I don’ have a place in the new staff and new policy. That's why, next season I will fight for a new club who will believe in my come back and support me in this new adventure" we can read on her fans page.

But as a problem never comes alone, after being fired from her club  Pavia sees all her sponsors disappearing one by one: "I keep good contacts with Disney but unfortunately all my sponsors have left. I actually live from my savings and I have difficulties to find a new apartment. Fortunately, I can rely on the flawless support of my family and good friends like the 63kg world champion Clarisse Agbegnenou. I also hope that the French Federation will help me on my way back to the top as they promised" she says with emotion.

Her fiancé Ashley McKenzie who won  European senior bronze in 2013 in under 60kg, is always on the road for competitions but Pavia stays strong and manages to organize her days with her baby girl: "Lana-Rose is most of the time next to me. I can't be without her!"

Despite all the problems, Pavia is still smiling and enjoying her young mama life, soon, the European champion 2016 will  be back at school and of course at training so every second with the baby is good to take.

During her all pregnancy she kept and sport activity with the advises of Frederic Roualen, physical coach of the French team because staying in shape was always on her mind. The way back on training is planned step by step in order to avoid injuries.

And When we ask her what she is thinking about the performance of Receveaux at the World championships, the tall blonde is not surprised: "a world medal is awesome, Helene is becoming more and more strong, going back home with a medal was normal after the amazing season she did" she says.

Pavia is not afraid of the competition and is ready for new challenges: I will take my time to come back on the highest level." Soon we should know more about her goals and her new club.