Through Victor Massias
Published on 30 May 21 at 10:14
Luka Mkheidze is part of the very closed circle of those whom the Covid-19 has not harmed. On the contrary, we will be tempted to add. Without this global pandemic, the judoka would certainly have watched Walide Khyar represent France at Tokyo Olympics in its category (- 60kg). And then the health crisis collapsed, like a strike by teachers on the day of the check that he had not reviewed. “A lot of athletes were disappointed. For me, it was only a bonus because I had nothing more to lose. I told myself that I had a second chance, ”says Le Havrais. “I managed to let go, not to put too much pressure on myself and I did a lot of medals. “
“It’s a dream I had when I was little”
The turning point of the season is the European Championships, in April 2021, in Lisbon (Portugal). The 25-year-old won silver there by beating his direct competitor, Walide Khyar, in the quarter-finals. This is how he validated his ticket to Tokyo. “It’s a dream I had when I was little”, rejoices the judoka. “There were a lot of sacrifices, of training. It is not given to everyone to reach this level. Especially since his story did not necessarily start in the best possible way.
On Georgia, his native country, his judo license is refused to him because of his size, considered too small. It was his father who had encouraged him to practice a combat sport such as judo or wrestling, very popular in this country of four million inhabitants. “It’s not something that I experienced badly or a frustration,” says Luka Mkheidze today. “In Georgia, it’s not the same mentality, not the same values, not the same culture. When you start judo, you are already training like a senior. I understand, it was normal that they refused me. In France, you can start judo at 4 years old, not there. So he starts swimming with his two older sisters.
Junior French Champion to start
After the Second South Ossetian War, his family moved to France. “My father wanted a better situation for his children, because life in Georgia is a bit difficult,” explains the native of Tbilissi, who arrived in the Paris region at the age of 12 with the status of political refugee. It was in 2010 that the Mkheidze went to Le Havre, to a hostel in the Neiges district, first, then to Graville and Danton.
Luka can then fully express his judo, within the club of Perrey Warrior, in 2013, date of its creation. “Right away, we knew he had something different from the others,” recalls Thomas Destin, founder and president of the club. “To say that we knew he was going to do the Games would be a lie, but we could see that he had something to go a little further than some. “From his first year, the judoka becomes champion of France juniors.
Luka Mkheidze quickly returned to sports studies in Rouen then at theInsep (National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance), four years ago. In the end, he only spent two years at Perrey Guerrier. But even today, as soon as he has time to come back to Le Havre, he willingly goes back there “to say hello or give some of his time for the students of the club. We integrated him into our organization, ”assures Thomas Destin. “When he comes, he can give lessons if he wishes to share his high level experience. “
There is then no doubt that the entire Le Havre club will be in front of its television for the fights of its foal. “In addition, Luka is lucky to have a spectacular judo which turns in all directions”, explains Thomas Destin. “He does not have a conventional judo where penalties will be sought. He will try to bring down his opponent and, for the purists, it is really judo that we are looking for. Above all, his goal is to bring home a medal from Japan. History that this “helping hand” from the Covid is not in vain.
