Darcel Yandzi: Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More!

Who is Darcel Yandzi?

Darcel Yandzi is an African-born French Olympic Judoka. He competed on the international circuit for a decade, reaching the highest levels of the sport. 

Who is Darcel Yandzi?

Darcel Yandzi is an African-born French Olympic Judoka. He competed on the international circuit for a decade, reaching the highest levels of the sport. 

Winning Combinations by Darcel Yandzi

Yandzi was born in the summer of 1973 in Kinshasa, Zaire, a country now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After only seven years, his parents sent him to live with an uncle in Brazzaville, France while they remained in Africa. After moving, a young Yandzi began Judo at the age of 9 and became obsessed almost immediately.

Yandzi grew up idolizing Muhammed Ali and always wanted to prove to himself and others that people can achieve great things regardless of where they begin. He fought through a difficult childhood and began to compete after falling in love with the sport. He saw Judo as a way to escape the circumstances he was in. His time and dedication eventually led Yandzi to a 1996 Olympic bid.

The Summer Olympics were held in Athens that year, and Yandzi fought through some amazing competition to achieve a seventh place finish. Although it wasn’t exactly what he’d hoped for, the lessons learned and experience gained were invaluable for him.

Since his retirement from competition in the 2000s, Darcel Yandzi has made the transition to coaching and creating instructionals. He talks often about the adaptation it takes to work with each athlete and how hard it can be to create a perfect environment to grow both athletically and personally. 

Yandzi has been able to bring that philosophy to many young athletes as a national coach of several countries in his day, including Great Britain, Scotland, and now France.

How Old is Darcel Yandzi?

Darcel Yandzi was born on June 3rd in 1973 in Kinshasa, Zaire. He will turn 50 years old in  2022.

Darcel Yandzi Family

Not much has been published about Darcel Yandzi’s family. He maintains a private life, preferring to focus on the sport when interviewed.

How Much is Darcel Yandzi Worth?

Darcel Yandzi’s net worth is not public information.

How Tall is Darcel Yandzi?

Darcel Yandzi stands a full six feet tall. He officially competed at 6’0”.

How Much Does Darcel Yandzi Weigh? 

Darcel Yandzi competed most frequently in Judo at half middleweight. The cutoff for that division is 81 kg, or about 172 lbs. More recently, in 2001, Yandzi put on a little weight in order to just make 81 kg, tipping the scales at the full limit of 179 lbs.

Darcel Yandzi Fight List

As a grappler, Darcel Yandzi has had far too many bouts to list them all here. To get an idea of his grappling skill, let’s take a look at some of his proudest accomplishments in the sport:

• 1993 World Judo Championships - 3rd Place
• 1993 European Judo Championships - 1st Place
• 1996 Olympic Competitor
• 2001 European Judo Championships - 7th Place

Darcel Yandzi's Best Fight of All Time

For a fighter like Darcel Yandzi, it’s hard to pin down one amazing moment in a career full of highlights. One of his best moments came in 1993, a full three years before his 1996 olympic bid in athens. Yandzi competed at half middleweight, or 78kg,  In the 1993 European Judo Championships. He was able to earn first place in that tournament, which helped inspire him to continue competing for years to come.

Who Did Darcel Yandzi Lose To?

All grapplers face the challenge of recollecting themselves after taking tough losses, and Darcel Yandzi is no different. He describes his rebound from the 1996 Olympic games as a something that took him years to fully accept and move on from. In that tournament, Yandzi lost to Yoshida, of Japan.

Mastering Movement by Loic Pietri

Darcel Yandzi Record

Darcel Yandzi’s overall record spans decades and several countries, so it’s not compiled to view in one place.

Darcel Yandzi Injuries

Grappling injuries are incredibly common in BJJ, and even more so in Judo. Yandzi describes a childhood full of injuries, including a surgery for his knee at only fifteen years old. In the wake of this injury and operation, Yandzi was even forced to fake medical clearances to continue competing.

Is Darcel Yandzi Retired?

Darcel Yandzi is retired from professional Judo competition, but still maintains an active connection to the sport by serving as a coach to high-level national teams across Europe. He’s worked with Olympic caliber athletes in Great Britain, Scotland, and now France. But his newest achievement? That would be partnering up with BJJ Fanatics to spread his love of Judo to the world. 

His instructional, called “Winning Combinations”, is focused on just that. In his two volume work, Yandzi breaks down what it takes to master kazushi, footwork, grips, and technical transitions. Putting it all together removes the guesswork from the standup game and allows for more fluid and intentional combinations on the feet. Take a look at these world-level tips in order to improve your throws!

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