Marnavalaise Mélanie Legoux-Clément, who took her bearings at the French 1st division championships, the slast week, is pumped up when approaching the Grand Slam of Georgia, Friday, June 3, in -48 kilos.
JHM Quotidien: How do you analyze this French team championship individually?
Melanie Legoux-Clement: “Against Manon Urdiales, from Pontault-Combault, these are never easy fights. We know each other by heart. It was my first confrontation of the day, while opposite, they had already made one. It’s never easy. We had to be vigilant, get going. I win after four minutes of golden score. It shows me that I have to come back stronger in difficult matches. This gives me some benchmarks, and allows me to take stock of the situation in relation to Georgia. It is true that I am not in my category. I feel it physically. I was super light at the weigh-in, I lost six kilos in the last fight, against Chelles. But I was well on my hands, I tried more on a girl who was more on the attack. It’s not the same style of judo that Urdiales is waiting for. I am surprised at the end against a young who is strong. I gave what I had to give. I am disappointed, because I must not lose. She was stronger tactically. I had a few days to rectify all this before leaving. There is a lot of fatigue, because we have chained a lot. Even on 52 kilos, I do not feel below. Sometimes I find it harder to let go. We’re going to put things down, slowing down, after a big week of cohesion. I did a little bit of judo on Monday, then I’m going to rest well to be in good shape on Friday. It gave me a bit of a competitive sting before Tbilisi. »
“It was mixed” on the last outings
JHM Q: How do you rate the latest releases?
M. L.-C. : “It was mixed. It was very strong at the end of 2021, when I didn’t ask myself any questions, after a big break, the medals were there, in Paris, Abu Dhabi. In 2022, it is more difficult. I’m fifth in Paris and Turkey. Things are changing. Sometimes it goes better in certain areas that we work less on. When you don’t work, it sucks. It is an endless chain. We did a big block of work from Turkey. There, I asked myself a lot of questions about profiles that I’m not used to meeting, girls who come in close combat. I don’t have that in France. I didn’t get the right reactions. The slightest mistake is fatal. We worked on it. I also need competitions, and there, we do them every two or three months. It’s not sufficient. That’s why there are holes on some working axes. I did the preparation for the Euro, even if I didn’t participate, then a lot of physical work. We put the cover back technically. It was not a good day of judo for me in France by teams, but it will serve me. In the last competitions, even if there was no medal, I was happy with what I had produced. Despite the feedback I received from the outside, from the coaches. I felt good. On the hands, I dared. I may not have the same feeling of what we see from the outside. »
JHM Q: Is it easier for you in teams or individually?
M. L.-C. : “The mindset is not the same. The girls will be behind the screen. I will be all alone. I am ready. I know there is something at stake. I’m leaving with Blandine Pont. »
JHM Q: What will be the objective in Georgia?
M. L.-C. : “I miss the podium. I’m going to go there in the same state of mind since my recovery. »
“I tell myself that I have my place” at the Worlds
JHM Q: How do you analyze your new training structure, between INSEP and Reims?
M. L.-C. : “This structure suits me. It takes time for things to come back. I have no doubt about that. I’m not unemployed during the week. I tell myself it will come back. »
JHM Q: Are the Worlds in October still on your mind, with Shirine Boukli, world No. 1 and European champion?
M. L.-C. : ” Yes. I know that there are not many places left, that there are a lot of us fighting. As for the Euro. There is one place per category and two for all girls. Girls medalists at the European Championships will be at the World Championships. Compared to the number of medalists, there are only two places left on the whole team. We are a lot and we also fight against girls from other categories. I tell myself that I have my place. Why not. You have to be present in Georgia. Then the Federation will make its selection. »
Interview by Nicolas Chapon
