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In Tarbes, Helios Latchoumanaya back as a hero of the Tokyo Games

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Paralympic Games. Tokyo bronze medalist Helios Latchoumanaya (judo, -90 kg for the visually impaired) was present at the Maison des Arts Martiaux in Tarbes, his hometown, on Friday evening. The opportunity to discuss with the youngest graduates of the Hautes-Pyrénées department.

No one is a prophet in his country, and yet. Friday evening, at the House of Martial Arts in Tarbes, Helios Latchoumanaya was celebrated as it should by the young judokas of the department. At the end of the shared training with the children, the bronze medalist (-90 kg for the visually impaired) of the Tokyo Games received a standing ovation. And even had the right to a well-felt “clapping”. “He is from the area, like you,” says Moïse Duchemin, president of the departmental judo committee. He climbed the ranks one by one and he succeeded. If you are serious then why not imitate him. Helios must be an example. “

Photos and dedications

A few moments later, after a signing session and photos, the person kicked in touch as to this duty of exemplarity implied by his new status. Not without humor. “We were 54 to get a medal in Tokyo, and I hope that the youngest ones will rather be inspired by the 53 others (laughs)! It is certain that there are a little more responsibilities now, but I remain calm. “

Quiet, serene, like a young man of 21. Moreover, while he played the game of questions and answers for about twenty minutes, Helios Latchoumanaya showed a real sense of repartee. What has the medal changed in her life? “She filled my bank account and that’s good (laughs)! »Allusion to the bonus of 15,000 € paid to all the sportsmen having obtained bronze during the Games. “I also have more subscribers on Insta”, he smiles when he could have mentioned, too, the creation of a Wikipedia page in his name. “More seriously, it is that happiness, for three weeks, congratulations have been raining down (he was received at the Elysee Palace on Monday where he was made a Knight of the National Order of Merit), Paralympism is really highlighted and that motivates even more for 2024. ”You will have understood it, the medal will not change the way of being of the student in journalism / communication. “Besides, maybe the status of Olympic medalist will help me in my studies because you will offer me an internship (laughs)! “

Not taking yourself seriously, the key to success for someone who made his debut in Tarbes, his hometown, at the Pyrenees Martial Arts at the age of 7. Now licensed in Bourg-la-Reine (Hauts-de-Seine) and resident of Insep, the Bigourdan has made it a point of honor to return to where it all began for him. “It’s important, already because I have a little time since I will resume training on September 27, but above all, it allows a few people to come, to discuss, to exchange. “

Come back to Tarbes one day? Why not

And it is an understatement to say that the judoka did not force himself to play proximity with the youngest. “It would be to sign my belt, please”, launches this little one to him, who proudly presents his orange-yellow strip to him. “No problem, but your parents agree at least? A few autographed belts later, Helios Latchoumanaya still had the banana. “Will I ever take a license again in Tarbes?” Why not, when I’m old, like 35 (laughs)! As soon as I’m fed up with Paris, I come back. “
Not sure that it will be immediately then. Getting tired of Paris, a miscalculation before the 2024 Games, where he will aim for gold.

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