Judo. French D1 Championships: a first for Fabien Touchard – Judo

French D1 Championships, from Friday to Sunday

What state of mind are you in a few hours of the event?

Very happy to go. There will be the weigh-in on Thursday at 5 p.m. and I fight on Friday morning. I have already competed at the national level, like the “teams” last year in Brest (elimination in the 1st round by RS Montreuil). But this will be my first individual. I can not wait to be there.

What are your ambitions ?

The level will be high and I’m not deluding myself too much. I know it’s complicated to compete with the guys from the Parisian clubs who train every day at Insep etc. But I will give everything to try to win some fights.

Is the pandemic likely to have widened the gaps between the judokas?

It is true that we are not all housed in the same boat. The top athletes were able to train every day for months. On the contrary, we were deprived of judo for several months. Even if the automatisms return quickly, it was necessary to re-mobilize, to re-sharpen, to find the cardio etc.

How did you come to judo?

I started at 5 years old with my father. I was licensed for a long time at the Dojo Bro Foën in Fouesnant, where I am from. I always train there during the week and I volunteer there. In 2015, I went to Vannes for my studies (he is now a chartered accountant). I got closer to the JC56. We got on really well and I’ve been competing with the club ever since.

You have an elongated template (1.85 m for 72 kg). Is this an advantage or a disadvantage?

The two ! Since I have long legs, I can sweep and I am comfortable on the floor. I manage to express myself with immobilizations, strangulations or arm locks. But on shoulder movements, my partner, who is often shorter and stocky, doesn’t have to bend their legs. This is a downside. You have to adapt.