Elise Legros, 17, is French boxing champion 2nd series in combat. A title obtained after years of competition and above all an environment centered on French boxing. A real family story. In early April, she will participate in the French assault championship which will take place at the Halle Carpentier in Paris, on April 23 and 24, 2022.
“During my first years of competition, I was always very happy to win but I was almost always ‘scolded’ by the referees and my coach, because my shots were too powerful”. These words are those of Elise Legros, a young woman who fell into boxing from an early age.
It was when she saw her brother and her father at boxing training that Elise became interested. His father was champion of Val-de-Marne, Ile-de-France and France, youth category. His brother Romain was champion of France in 2016-2017, junior vice-champion in 2018 and ten times champion of Brittany. “Cis seeing my brother Romain train that I wanted to follow him and then I liked it… “.
His parents therefore enrolled him in the Ploërmel martial arts club from the age of 6. This is where she puts on the gloves for the first time.
His first competition at 7 years old is already promising.
I remember my first assault. I was quite nervous and didn’t really understand the situation so I asked a lot of questions. Once in the ring all questions disappeared. I just boxed as usual.
His opponent is the same age, but in the ring, nothing stops him. “I remember my dad who was in my corner and told me to slow down and hit less hard!”. His opponent finally gives up during the second round.
–
“From the age of 12-13 I was able to go with my father and my brother to see boxing galas, to watch the fights. I was going to see boxers like Alan Berrou! I didn’t particularly want to fight but I admired these boxers a lot.”
In view of his playing qualities, his mentality, very early on, his entourage imagined him in combat.
In 2018, Elise entered the minimal category. For the first time she must participate in the French championship in Narbonne. This is his first defeat and his first big disappointment. “It was in Narbonne and I was 13 years old. II finished third. Of my four assaults, I lost two. The first fight, I was not really into it and too stressed. Then the last where I was disqualified for technical errors with 15 seconds left…”
Elise is extremely disappointed, especially since her disqualification is not deserved, she thinks. “Most here, I learned that it is not necessary to leave room for chance and not to leave the choice to the judges so that I win. It taught me a lesson! I won the French championship the following year!”
His father adds: “Elise understood from that moment that everything was a question of mental and physical balance. Now, when she steps into the ring, she appears more relaxed, confident, and smiling.”
In view of the minimal 2019 French Championship, in Boulogne-sur-mer, she is 100% involved “JuptoThere, I practiced boxing in the same way that many little girls practice dance. The years 2018 and 2019 were very intense in terms of my training and my involvement. With my brother we had fun saying “We eat boxing, we sleep boxing, we live boxing” “
–
The importance of her entourage is an essential element for the young champion. “I watched my brother win his first two French championships. I think that necessarily influenced me in my desire to do the same. My grandparents are also passionate about boxing and follow it closely. My dad has always been my coach and therefore very involved. This year in particular, he accompanies me once or twice a week at the Gant d’Hermine in Vannes, see my coach Michel Mouth for the fight. He is also very present on a daily basis for my physical preparation, my diet and above all a great support in the most difficult times”. The break caused by the Covid pandemic was a difficult year for the young girl. During this health crisis , Elise could not defend all her chances in her junior category. However, she continued to train every day while waiting for the recovery. Michel Mouth was not worried, he confirms: “Elise has an always positive mind. SHer physical qualities, toned and relaxed at the same time, her fluid game and her very good muscular quality, make her a winner, she is definitely a hard worker”. In January 2020, the fighting resumed. Elise won the Brittany championship as a youngest and her big brother Romain won the Brittany championship as a senior.
–
November 2021, Elise, then vice champion of France Assault, meets in the final a 36-year-old woman, multiple world champion in the category in combat. But for Elise “age doesn’t matter.” His coach Michel Mouth tells “She held her opponent high, and everyone only had eyes for her. She was on the verge of creating a surprise.” The young girl bows with the honors in front of the world champion. During the playoffs in Paris for the finals of the French combat championships, she won her four fights over a weekend. For Michel Mouth, there is no doubt:
For her age, Elise has an exceptional mental approach to boxing, which is an anxiety-provoking sport. She has an emotional mastery that channels her fear and makes her happy to step into the ring, it shows. She is in control of her emotions. His desire to win is definitely stronger than his desire to lose.
Michel Mouth,
Elise’s trainer
–
In January 2022, in Grenoble, she won the title of French junior combat boxing champion.
In everyday life, the young girl combines her career as a high-level sportswoman with her studies. Now a final year student, she is moving towards economics and management studies at the University of Vannes. “Having joined the city’s French boxing club since September, I can easily continue my training“. In private, the young champion appears sweet and smiling, with a cheerful temperament. Her years of boxing have allowed her to gain self-confidence and gain in maturity.
I have made rigor and discipline my rule of life. I give priority to my training rather than outings with my friends. My moments of joy, I live them first thanks to the sport and then I share my victories with my family and my friends.
When asked what his dream is”to become world champion!!!” she replies with a burst of laughter. Today, Elise, the future world champion, is preparing hard for the 2022 French assault championships, in April in Paris.
–
