The French judo Olympic champion Margaux Pinot accuses her trainer and partner Alain Schmitt of having severely abused her. At a press conference, the 27-year-old, who had suffered facial injuries, said Schmitt – a former world-class judoka himself – tried to kill her during an argument in the couple’s apartment.
Schmitt, who was temporarily arrested, denies the allegation.
“He continues to try to portray me as a hysterical woman”
“He’s lying. He continues to try to portray me as a hysterical woman. (…) There were punches, my head was hit on the floor and he choked me, ”said Pinot. She said, “He grabbed my hair and threw me on the floor. I was on my back and he sat on me and hit me with both hands. I tried to stop him. (…) I could push him aside, get up and run into the hallway. He caught up with me and pulled my hair. I said to myself: ‘Either you manage to free yourself or you are dead’ “, said the 27-year-old.
“She pounced on me”
Schmitt described his point of view as follows: “She lunged at me, grabbed my collar. I backed away, she hurled me against the door post, I hit my head. “And the 38-year-old went on:” We have had a relationship for years, which is a little special, to put it kindly. I have it asked several times to leave the club. She said to me: Why don’t you leave? At some point someone has to make a decision and I’m the coach. “
Schmitt no longer wants Israel’s association
The 38-year-old, who also had facial injuries, said a fight had broken out between him and his partner because she did not want him to take up his new position as Israel’s national coach. The Israeli association has since refrained from signing the French.
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