“Super light” weight, but lioness strength. This is how one could describe Priscilla Morand. The Morgienne of Valais origin, who now plays in the Mauritian federation, has not seen her dream of shining on the tatami mats in Tokyo come true, but she does not intend to stop there.
You narrowly escaped qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics. Did you digest this disappointment?
Today things are better, I had great support from my relatives, which helped me a lot. I was so sure to participate that it was a cold shower. The period of the Games was difficult, because everyone was talking about it, we only saw it on television. I still have a little pang in my heart, of course, but it’s getting better!
How do you see the rest of your sports career?
After a big phase of reflection, I told myself that ending my career on failure was not possible. So I will continue a little longer and try to be up to the next great events: the African Championships and the Commonwealth Games. And of course, I am not closing the door to the 2024 Olympic Games! But I go step by step, year by year …
In high performance sport, we often talk about the mind. Did this failure strengthen you for the future?
It has indeed changed the way I see things. I am someone who plans a lot but I have to learn to manage on a day to day basis. I also need to gain self-confidence. During these Olympic Games, we saw exploits, athletes who created surprises. I have to be able to tell myself that it can happen to me too!
Persevering
A proverb
“We do not judge a man on the number of times he falls but on the number of times he gets up”, Jigoro Kano, founder of judo.
How do you deal with the stress that surrounds this kind of competition?
When I was younger it was not easy. As I get older, things get better and better. Being part of a team, receiving advice from my coach and being surrounded by my family helps me a lot. I also try to transform the stress during the fight into “good” stress which helps me to surpass myself.
Do you have a ritual before a competition?
I always carry the same brand of water… I also always wear my Morges club jacket. These are small details that I care about!
When I fight, I do it for myself, but also for my big brother. He accompanies me, it gives me strength. cédric sandoz
Do you pay special attention to your diet?
In judo, weight is very important. To keep me in my category[1], I need to lose about two kilos before each competition. In the preceding weeks, I therefore began to pay attention, to eat better. On the day of the weighing, I do not drink or eat, to lose the last grams. It is certainly not very healthy, but my body recovers well afterwards, fortunately. Then, during the competition, I mainly eat pasta and meat to gain as much energy as possible.
November 24, 1993: Born in Morges (Vaud).
1998: Begins judo at the Club de Morges at the age of 5.
2011 and 2013: Finished fifth at the European Championships (junior).
2019: Won the gold medal at the Jeux des Îles, at home (Port-Louis).
2021: Wins the silver medal at the African championships
How do you relate to health in general?
I don’t really like going to the doctor. I was often sick when I fought in the under 44 kg category. Since I gained a little weight, I am much less. I am still being followed by a sports doctor, especially for a vitamin B12 deficiency, probably because of my diets in the past. When my level is too low, he prescribes supplementation by injection.
Are you sensitive to complementary medicine?
Like many athletes, massages help me a lot, before and after a competition. I also did cryotherapy sessions, for recovery, as I was starting to get tired and have back pain. I think these methods are really helping me.
Where do you get your strength from?
My older brother, who loved judo, suffered a ruptured aneurysm in 2008 and was partially paralyzed. Since then, he has regained his abilities but can no longer practice this sport. When I fight, I do it for myself, but also for him. He accompanies me, it gives me strength.
What is your fondest memory of competition?
The Islands Games, in 2019, in Mauritius. This competition is a very important event there, surely as much as the Olympic Games. All the Mauritian people and my family were there to support me. I won the first medal for the team, it was wonderful. I have done a lot of great competitions in my life, but this one particularly marked me.
What can we wish you for the future?
That I digest the Tokyo episode, that I can have fun in judo again… and that I become African champion in 2022, that would be perfect!
Clémentine Fitaire / Planet Health
