The very first experience at a Senior World Championship for the Almaty judoka, François Gauthier-Drapeau, did not go as well as hoped. On October 8, he lost in the first round in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to his opponent Somon Makhmadbekov.
“It didn’t go very well. I lost against an opponent against whom I had never fought in a tournament before, but with whom I had already trained. So I expected better, a better performance,” commented François Gauthier-Drapeau on the phone, he who was just back home.
The judoka was coming out of a very long period of training to reach the top of his form at the World Championship. He was therefore in search of a medal during this tournament, or at least, to reach a top 5.
He, however, buckled under the stress from his first confrontation.
“I didn’t feel like myself during the fight, I felt slow. I did not fight up to my talent and skills. I feel, without making excuses, that maybe I was too stressed. It was my first Senior World Championship. »
However, he returns home with his head held high, having acquired a new baggage of experience.
“I’m really disappointed, but I have other tournaments coming up. I don’t let that get me down, things are moving so fast, I shouldn’t worry too much. Now I know better what to expect and I will arrive with more confidence next time. »
Precious points
This World Championship was a first showcase for the athletes in anticipation of the selections for the 2024 Olympic Games, in Paris.
François Gauthier-Drapeau is therefore aware that he has lost precious points, but he remains confident that he can make up for it.
A place on the Canadian team has also become available at 81kg, the Almatois category, with the retirement of Antoine Valois-Fortier.
François is aiming for this spot, even though Team Canada is pinning a lot of hope on him.
“It comes with its share of pressure, it’s my chance to show what I can do. But I would say that I am rather advantaged, since Antoine is my trainer now. He still knows the opponents I face, so I have good advice. »
Tournaments
By the end of 2022, François will participate in two Grand Slams. That of Abu Dhabi at the end of October, as well as that of Tokyo in December.
In the meantime, he will recover from his injuries, before returning to training in early 2023.
