It’s the story of a little Rochelais who, due to maternal atavism, could have fallen into trouble at a very young age but who, following in his father’s footsteps, started with karate and then tasted rugby. The trigger for handball came late, at 14 years old. And everything comes together. The clubs of Surgères and Niort for apprenticeship, the Espoirs center of Poitiers, the Cesson training center where he will sign pro in 2017, the federal sector and results in the French youth team with the 96-97 generation where he rubs shoulders with Fabregas, Minne, Richardson, Mem and other Yanis Lenne. Hugo Kamtchop-Baril really has his foot in the stirrup. “I had good physical predispositions and I was spotted quite quickly. It was working pretty well until I felt inflammation in my patellar tendons. A real hassle because it disrupted my sporting life and my daily life.” He even thinks about giving up this royal path which seemed mapped out because the pain is so intense. “I had surgery but it didn’t work out. However, I held on and Cesson even extended my contract. It really helped me get over the hump.” With rest and some detachment from the injury, the discomfort becomes less disturbing. The last two years spent in Cesson will be the most intense, and also the most qualitative. The pivot is among the best in the championship. After eight seasons in Brittany, he changed direction and responded to requests from Nîmes. “I wanted to discover something else, get out of a certain comfort and see what I was capable of producing at a higher level.” His debut in the Gard team is promising. Until the 6th day, this October 21, 2022 and a handful of seconds on the floor of Parnasse against Istres.
On a support, his right knee gives way. The medical diagnosis is relentless, rupture of the cruciate ligaments. “At the time, I didn’t take it too badly, telling myself that I wasn’t the only one to whom it happened. I asked myself the questions a little later. » The surgical intervention does not take place until November. Regardless, the treatment protocol begins the day after the injury. Even if he doesn’t want to skip any steps, the player has already moved on to the next step. “We took advantage of this period to work on the upper body but also with the physiotherapists, on the quadriceps, explain Marc Teissonnierethe USAM physical trainer. As a prevention of the operation to save a little time. We met again in January after the holidays.” From then on, Hugo no longer counts the pull-ups, the squats, the jumps, in short, does all the exercises and the re-athletic work he must do to get back to his best level. It is at this price that he will have the green light from the doctors to return to the group. “He blew us away. He is a very strong boy physically but also psychologically. A hard worker. He knows where he wants to go and how to get there. At times, we even had to slow it down. When we see what he has done since the restart, we can be satisfied. And he will still progress because he has room to improve.”
As proof, its performance compared to last season at the same time is equivalent. He’s even ahead. “Honestly, I didn’t expect to have such a good start to the season, validates the principal concerned. The guys manage to find me and I manage to project myself well. I’m really happy even if I’m not yet at my best in the game.” This Sunday is a first big test that Nîmes will face with the trip to Montpellier (which with USAM and PSG, has 5 successes in as many matches). Hugo will have a fresh perspective on this derby which fascinates an entire region. “It is obviously stronger than the previous opponents and we will be able to benchmark ourselves. Depending on the performance, we will either say that there is still a gap, or that we are on course to accomplish something great. We know it’s going to be hot, there’s a certain excitement and for some supporters, it’s the match of the year.” The Gardois have never won against neighboring Hérault and even if the outcome of this meeting will in no way determine the epilogue of the championship, the winner will at least have gained a psychological advantage. “Our goal is to aim for the top 4 and get a European ticket.” Hugo Kamtchop-Baril remains perfectly lucid. A good run with Nîmes could open up other horizons for him. Like two years ago, when his name was mentioned in Guillaume Gille’s entourage. “It’s sure that it’s in the back of my mind but first I want to establish myself as a big pivot for the best teams in the championship. Then, this position is undoubtedly the one that is most difficult to access in the French team because those who occupy it are among the best in the world. If it has to happen, I’ll take my chance. But I don’t focus on it.”
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