One of the big events of the season will take place this Saturday, May 28 (9 a.m.): the France 1 championshipsere Team division, at the Grand Dôme dojo in Villebon-sur-Yvette (Essonne). Nine Marnavalaises will defend the chances of Haut-Marnaise, at the heart of a field of 40 teams.
The Marnaval – Saint-Dizier Judo Club has been playing at the highest national level for nineteen consecutive seasons. This Saturday, May 28, it is the women of the Marnavalais club who will compete against the best teams in France. Everything will take place at the so-called Grand Dôme dojo, in Villebon-sur-Yvette. Clément Legoux, the coach of the Marnavalaises, says it clearly: “It’s no joke! We will face the 40 best teams in France. But we have good assets to perform well there. » The assets, let’s talk about it: they will be nine to defend the colors of Marnaval. First, two experienced fighters: Mélanie Legoux-Clément, as captain, and Nawaliatou Babio, in -52 kg. Célia Lebel will take part in the fights in -57 kg, while Margaux Silvestri will compete in -63 kg. Elisa Nancey, from JC Nancy, will strengthen the ranks of Haut-Marne in this category. Another newcomer to Marnaval, Anaïs Viaud (defector from Pont-à-Mousson), is registered in -70 kg. Finally, in +70 kg, will be on the tatamis Morgane Duchesne and Sofia Ouali. One of the great strengths of Marnaval judokas is the ground. “We are known to be strong at this level” relates Clément Legoux. “It is on this ground that we will be able to use the experience of Mélanie (Legoux-Clément) and Nawaliatou (Babio). »
” Team spirit “
Only, for these French D1 team championships, technique will not be the determining factor, with a view to playing the leading roles. Marnaval, on its nineteen consecutive participations, has already been able to overthrow the biggest teams. Coach Clément Legoux has identified a line of work that resides, not in the body, but in the heads. “The advantage we have at Marnaval is that the girls all get along wonderfully and are friends in life outside of sport. Our less experienced fighters follow the Legoux-Clément and Babio locomotives, which pull them up. It is thanks to great cohesion that team spirit can make the difference. »
The women’s coach has clearly identified the strongest opponents. A large part of the 40 teams in the running will come from the Paris region, including two formidable ones: Paris Saint-Germain and Etoile Sport de Blanc-Mesnil. These have both a luxury, but also a weak point.
“As some teams have big resources, they can put their best assets to rest. We can’t afford it, as Melanie has a tournament in Georgia soon. But the big formations, they can be reversed: they may field more efficient fighters, it is their cohesion that is lacking. And that’s what has allowed us to perform many times. »
In 2021, JC Marnaval had completed these French team championships in 9th place. So, for this 2022 edition, why not better?
Bastien Dauby
