After a year of absence, the friendly Judo Club 2 Haine tournament was back on November 11 as tradition dictates. The recipe is the same as the one in place since 1994 but this year, the Covid Safe Ticket is invited to the party.
Young Belgian and French judokas on the tatami, high level referees and medals for everyone, the formula that makes the success of the friendly tournament of Judo Club 2 Haine has been the same for almost 30 years. But this 2021 edition is still slightly different from the others. A small gesture that you have to get used to was necessary to enter the room. You had to present your Covid Safe Ticket. “It went very well in general“, says André Luisi, president of the club.”Only one lady did not know how to present anything and stayed outside.“
Once inside, we find the traditional atmosphere of the tournament. Here the young people are above all there to learn but it is all the same a competition. “They are put in the same conditions as the big ones“, underlines André Luisi.”But the referees explain to the children and demonstrate pedagogy.“
A first for some young people
The tournament could not take place in 2020 due to the coronavirus crisis. For some or some like Julie, it was therefore the very first contact with competition. “I was a little stressed because I don’t like when everyone is looking at me but it went well“, she explains.
For all young people, there is in any case a certain pride when leaving the tatami. 350 judokas were present during the previous edition in 2019. This year, they were half as many. But for André Luisi and his team, being able to bring this tradition to life again is already a real success.
A. Mouchet
