On this Saturday, April 1, the Arthur-Ashe sports center in Montreuil looks like a party. For once, this temple of racket sports is not hosting a tennis open, or even a major badminton competition, but a… judo gala. “From memory, this is the first time that I have seen or heard of such an event organized here with such a device and so many people”, emphasizes Maxime Lebaube, Director of Sports at the City of Montreuil. It must be said that the Red Star Club Montreuil (RSCM), financially assisted in its work by the Department, the municipality and the 93 judo committee, has put the dishes in the big ones concerning the organization. For the occasion, four indoor tennis courts (eight if we add those reserved for the training of athletes on the other side) have been requisitioned, and two grandstands – moreover full to bursting – which can accommodate free no far from 600 spectators were installed.
There is even a speaker, in the person of former judoka Frédéric Lecanu. Accompanied by spots of light which dart their multicolored rays on the tatami and a sound system which spits out the tubes in spades, the one who has become a sports consultant on television comments on all the fights. Which pit mixed teams against each other in so-called “Olympic” categories (-57 kg, -70 kg and +70 kg for girls, -73 kg, -90 kg and +90 kg for boys) from ES Blanc-Mesnil judo, RSCM, two clubs gathered here under the banner of the departmental committee, INSEP (the French champion factory) and the Japanese University of Tenri, a world reference in terms of judo school . Before the next day devoted in the morning to training provided by the Japanese for the children of the Montreuil club and, in the afternoon, to a tournament between juniors from the department, “this opening night proves that it is possible to offer high-level confrontations against the backdrop of a sound and light show. Clearly, the public attends serious fights, with judokas determined to win in an atmosphere placed under the sign of the joy and the celebration of judo »summarizes Rachid Berki, president of Red Star.
“Hearing the public chanting your name always gives chills”
Organized so far in Villemomble, in the Paul-Delouvrier room, it is not insignificant that this 6th edition of the Night of Judo is held in Montreuil, in an Arthur-Ashe sports center which has been overflowing with ambitions for a few months. Since last December, the complex has been diversifying its offer, which is no longer limited to traditional racket sports: it is home to the company Le Five, which provides users with several 5-a-side football pitches and padel courts (a very popular sport). fashionable at the crossroads of tennis and squash). “It was on social networks that I heard about this galatestifies Sarah, who came with her family. It’s always interesting to go and see high-level athletes in real life, and it’s free. And then judo, apart from the Olympic Games, is not a very publicized sport, so we take advantage of it. » Installed in the stands or on the edge of the tatami, the children of the clubs give voice. The less shy ask random stars for a selfie or an autograph on a piece of paper or their kimono.
Audrey Tcheuméo, one of the stars of Red Star Montreuil, is unfortunately not there, too busy winning one more Grand Slam in Antalya, Turkey. Emre Sanal would have taken his place in the center of the arena. But the resident of the RSCM and French international was injured a week earlier at the Grand Slam of Georgia and had to forfeit. Before knowing more in a few days about the duration of his recovery, he nevertheless wanted to be present despite a sore knee wedged in a splint and difficulties in moving. “I am disappointed because I was happy to defend the colors of the club and the values of my sport in front of such a large audience. So, I encourage my friends and girlfriends from the edge of the tatami »relativizes the native of Annecy, who officiates in the heavy and who has already won the French championship this year, a title of European champion by mixed team as well as a third place at the Grand Slam of Tel-Aviv, major event on the world calendar.
At Arthur-Ashe, four other tennis courts have been transformed into a giant dojo to allow athletes to warm up away from the noise and tumult. In this part of the complex, calm and concentration took hold of the room. On the tatami, we stretch, we repeat the movements, we connect the oppositions. We hydrate of course and we gain strength with cereal bars and dried fruits. We also talk tactics, we encourage each other. In short, we have the feeling of being suddenly plunged behind the scenes of a great competition. “The Judo Night has a symbolic value but remains a very important event when you are part of Red Star Montreuilconfides Hamza Ouchani, a colossus twice bronze medalist in the French championship who will bow a little later in the evening against a formidable Japanese. Hearing the public chant your name always gives chills and then the quality of the opponents allows you to gauge yourself between two big competitions. »
INSEP big winner
For Karrie NGosso Silo, 3rd this season at the European Cup in Malaga (Spain), a gala of this type “Allows the youngest to attend high-level fights disputed by judokas they meet or rub shoulders with in a club. We must therefore put on a good face, above all avoid wallowing.smiles the RSCM fighter. “Tonight’s atmosphere contrasts with the cozy setting to which we are usually accustomednotes for his part Fatiha Moussa, licensed at Etoile Sportive du Blanc-Mesnil and 3rd in the last French championship. But that is part of the concept and does not affect the motivation that is in us, quite the contrary. »
A total of eighteen fights took place. INSEP won six, the Japanese university four and the departmental committee three. The other five ended in draws. “For us, this different model of competition is a real test”, says Lucie Décosse, who before training the young women of INSEP, reigned supreme in her discipline for a long time, notably winning gold at the London Olympics and several world titles. And to add: “The presence of the public is decisive because it galvanizes the participants. On arrival, there may not be a major trophy or points scored for the classification but the feeling of having had a great time and of having honored judo. »
Gregoire Remund
Photos: ©Jérémy Piot
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