In their gaze, he went back in time. A time when, as a teenager, he too came across tricolor judo champions with stars in their eyes.
On Saturday, at Cosec Leï Garrus in St-Maximin, Luka Mkheidze saw the roles reversed in front of some 50 children from the Var club.
The French bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics and 2021 European vice-champion of – 60kg accompanied the boss of the Blues, Larbi Benboudaoud for a moment of exchange and sharing, during the 21st Martial Arts Gala.
An event organized by the Judo club Saint-Maximin – chaired by Laurent Bouby and trained by Mansour Diaf – and the City.
“Nothing for nothing”
Neat, well-trimmed beard, illuminated black marbles and, pegged to the body of the 26-year-old judoka, a singular humility. “Giving dreamy moments to children is importanthe slips in a calm voice. Living together, respect, friendship represent the values of judo and we must pass them on to the youngest. Without forgetting the notion of work necessary to succeed. We have nothing without nothing.”
The Franco-Georgian knows this better than anyone. He who had to leave his native country at the age of 12 to join France a few months later.
“My family and I left during the war in Ossetia, but there were several reasons for our departure. With an unstable general situation. That’s why my parents also wanted a better life for us, their children”, he continues. From there to hope that their son wins the first French medal in Tokyo, all delegations combined?
“This metal represents my whole journey so far. With, of course, sacrifices, my double culture… But I fought for a sport and people that I love”he admits.
Late hatch
And despite the money won at the Euro a few months before the Olympics, Luka Mkheidze did not arrive as a favorite.
“There are always athletes who can hatch. Even later. If there is a nugget, a rough diamond, it will have to be cutbelieves Larbi Benboudaoud. Like Luka, who started performing ten months before the Games. Without the Covid which postponed the Games, he would never have won a medal. A hell of a story for the current member of Insep and Sucy judo, who is gradually recovering from a serious injury.
Hit in the right knee last March, the Olympic medalist hopes to come back strong in 2023. Perfect for the Franco-Georgian star to shine brightly again at the next Games?
