Newsletter

The Nouvelliste | A dream come true, Sabiana Anestor multiplies her preparation in Spain for the Tokyo Olympics

Le Nouvelliste: a short introduction to newspaper readers.

Sabiana Anestor: My name is Sabiana Nestor, I am 27 years old (born March 31, 1994), I come from Trou du Nord; I fight in the 52 kg category (black belt, 1st dan) and I am 1 meter 65. I practice judo at CeVAR, located in Valencia (Spain) for 3 years, thanks to the financial support of the president of Caribbean judo, Mr. Gilberto García, and in support of the Olympic Committee of Haiti (COH).

LN: Before moving to Valencia (Spain), did you win several titles in your career?

SA: Without a doubt (laughs…). My main titles are, among others, the gold medal obtained in the Children’s Judo Pan American Cup in Santo Domingo in 2008, I also had the gold medal in the Cadet Pan American Cup in Panama in 2010. In senior, I obtained a bronze medal. in the Pan American Judo Open in Santo Domingo in 2019 and a bronze medal in the Pan American Judo Open in Punta Cana in 2021. I also participated in the Francophonie Games in 2017 and the Central American and Caribbean Games in 2018. In Haiti, I was a seven-time junior national champion, twice a senior national champion, two runners-up, and twice as the best athlete of the year (2008 and 2010). To this I add my participation in 2021 in the world championships in Budapest (Hungary, June 6), the Grand Slam of Tel Aviv (Israel, February 10) and the Grand Slam of Antalya (Turkey, April 1).

LN: Where and when did you start practicing this discipline, that is, judo?

SA: I started practicing judo at the age of 12, thanks to a program implemented in the schools of my city (Trou du Nord) by the Haitian Olympic Committee, called “Sport for Peace and Development”. It must be said that he was already enrolled in a taekwondo school. However, my older brother who practiced judo suggested that I change discipline and since then I started judo.

LN: How were your first steps in this discipline that was undoubtedly new to you?

SA: Practicing a combat sport for a 12-year-old girl was not easy, mainly because she lived in a small town in the interior, but thanks to the support of my entire family and my coach, they led me to the impossible, and today I continue to practice judo No regrets.

LN: What have you gained in terms of profits by practicing judo?

SA: Judo is a sport that not only prepares you physically, technically and mentally, but also teaches you principles and many values ​​that you will have to use throughout your life. Thanks to judo I am a more responsible, more respectful, more mature person, among others. For this reason, I believe that judo can bring many values ​​to young people and make them better people.

LN: Tell us a little about your participation in various Grand Slams organized throughout the year.

SA: In the Judo World Cup, I didn’t get the result I expected. I have to continue training and preparing a lot every day, since the main objective is the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. However, I can confess that it was a very good experience and that it gave me a lot of learning.

LN: Did you reach the defined goal?

SA: My main objective has always been very clear: to have the best results and get the most points to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

LN: You are currently preparing for your participation in the Olympic Games. Can you give us an idea of ​​your preparation?

SA: Yes, absolutely. It was a dream, so I fight every day to be able to participate in the Olympics.

LN: For the Olympic Games, have you already set a goal to achieve?

SA: I have to wait for the draw to know the identity of my potential opponents. Still, like every athlete, I am looking for the medal, but we are talking about the Olympic Games, where the best athletes from all over the world are looking for the medal.

LN: Do you have an idea of ​​how the Haitian Judo Federation works?

SA: Currently, I cannot answer this question because I have been outside of Haiti for many years. But I think now the Haitian Judo Federation is doing a better job.

Le Nouvelliste: Before the start of the Olympics (July 23 to August 8) and before your first fight (July 25), do you have a message for the Haitian public?

Sabiana Anestor: Thanks to Le Nouvelliste newspaper for the opportunity and for helping me, and thank you very much for your support. For children who are starting to practice judo, my advice is: pursue your dreams and don’t stop believing in yourself. That in life there will always be obstacles, but it is necessary to move forward and overcome them all.

Interview with Légupeterson Alexandre

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending