Marc Vallot

Marc Vallot (24 May 1962 – 26 February 2001) was one of several highly talented Belgian -78 kg judoka from Belgium during the 1980s and early 1990s. He probably gained more international fame though through his marriage to legendary 6-fold world champion women's judo Ingrid Berghmans.

Early life Vallot was born in Ougrée, Wallonia. He took up judo in Ougrée near Seraing in the province of Liège. His original judo teacher was Roger Detaille.

Career Vallot already became a successful judoka while still in his youth. He was a technically skilled judoka whose specialty was right Uchi-mata or inner thigh throw. Vallot won a gold medal in the 1986 Open Swedish International Tournament and in the 1989 Swiss Open. Between 1983–1989 he won seven national titles in the -78 kg of which five in the senior division. He also won one silver and two bronze medals in the -78 kg nationals. His main competitors were Johan Boon, Carl De Crée, Johan Laats, David Letor, and :nl:Eddy Van de Cauter, with whom he alternated the -78 kg position in the national team. Vallot also won a silver medal in the 1988 Open category, which was held in a separate championship which soon after was abolished, and with his Judo Club Neupré he also won three national team championships. Vallot held the judo rank of 5th dan issued by the Ligue Francophone de Judo, regional subfederation of the Belgian Judo Federation. His successor within the Belgian national team was Johan Laats, Although technically the marriage lasted eleven years, Vallot and Berghmans had been living separated for a year at the time of Vallot's death, and the divorce proceedings were ongoing. Vallot left two children behind from his marriage with Berghmans, Maxime and Manon.