The French won the bronze medal by dominating the Ivorian Traoré, but also earlier in the day the reigning Chinese Olympic champion.
Special envoy to Tokyo
Taekwondo, a loyal supplier of the Olympic medal to France. Since its introduction into the Games program during the 2000 edition in Sydney, after having been a simple demonstration sport in 1988 and 1992, the discipline has always smiled on the Blues. Pascal Gentil (bronze in 2000 and 2004, Myriam Baverel (silver in 2004), Gwladys Epangue (bronze in 2008), Anne-Caroline Graffe (silver) and Marlène Harnois (bronze) in 2012, Haby Niaré (silver in 2016)… No an edition of the Olympic Games without France not leaving at least with a podium. Except that Monday, the failure of Magda Wiet Henin, beaten from the start, placed heavy pressure on the only other qualified member for Tokyo, Althea Laurin , only 19. But obviously not impressed by the rings.
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Despite her young age and the fact that these are her first Games, the Frenchwoman has indeed shown an almost amazing serenity over the rounds. Especially before her quarterfinal against China’s Zheng Shuyin, no more and no less than the reigning Olympic champion she said, before challenging her. «She very strong on her front leg, she manages to find openings in the head and in the body. But I think if I apply my strategy well, I can handle this fight, even if in sport nothing is certain».
A speech that could have been boastful except that behind, the taekwondoist of Asnières assumed perfectly by outclassing the Chinese head and shoulders (14-6). A performance that she welcomed without any particular euphoria: “The competition is never played even when we have released a seed. It’s positive, but we must stay focused on the future and on my big goal which remains gold».
Before falling unfortunately on the Olympic champion of… 2012, the Serbian Milica Mandic, true grave-digger of the French dreams of gold since it was she who had beaten in the final Anne-Caroline Graffe. Here again, the Serbian was ruthless, dominating Laurin with a short head (5 points to 7). Disappointed, the French then came close to the worst during her match for the 3e place, after a first one-sided act (6 points to 2) in favor of the Ivorian Aminata Traoré. Except that she had given everything during her initial two minutes on the physical level, transforming the following two rounds into a lone rider for a Laurin who ultimately won without trembling (17 points to 8). And without exulting, his happiness remaining inside. European Champion in December 2020, she was rather expected for Paris 2024 but the one-year postponement of the Tokyo Games gave her the opportunity to get ahead and not wait to get on an Olympic podium.
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