Published on December 06, 2022 at 11:47 am
They are 20 years apart and share the same passion for judo. Discussion between two generations of champions with Frédérique Jossinet and Romane Dicko.
Nothing predestined Romane Dicko to become world judo champion in the category of more than 78 kilos, on October 12 during the world judo. At 13, she discovered this sport during the London Olympics in 2012 and saw Audrey Tcheuméo win the bronze medal. Pushed by her father, the young Romane Dicko launched herself, “that’s how the story began”, she recalls.
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Since then, she has had a string of victories, becoming the youngest medalist for the French team in 2021 at the Tokyo Games. Seven French judokas distinguished themselves during this competition which saw a group of determined girls arrive on the tatami.
This effervescence, Frédérique Jossinet did not experience it like Romane. “When I started judo, there weren’t many on television, at least a lot less than now,” she admits. But it is also thanks to television that Frédérique developed a passion for the discipline.
In 1992, Cécile Nowak, a pioneer of women’s judo, became Olympic champion in Barcelona. A real role model for Frédérique, “I wanted to do the same, to become an Olympic champion”. Olympic vice-champion, four-time world medalist, she imposed herself in her discipline before hanging up in 2012.
To be a top athlete and a woman
But being a top athlete sometimes involves sacrifices. The years go by and Frédérique Jossinet wonders about her desire to be a mother, “I had spoken to the coaches about it at the time, they did not completely agree, and then the sponsors it was not not even bother,” she sighs. Finally, it is at 42 that Frédérique welcomes her little boy.
The question of starting a family already arises in Romane’s head, even if she assures him, “I also want to be an Olympic champion”. One will therefore not go without the other and things are changing in sport as in society. Like his colleague from the France team, Clarisse Agbegnenou who displayed herself breastfeeding her newborn during a training session. A positive signal for Romane who hopes that this will allow the younger generations to say to themselves that “it is possible thanks to female mutual aid that is being put in place”.
Because the world of sport is still very masculine. Elected vice-president in charge of high level at the French Judo Federation, Frédérique Jossinet is one of the few women in this position. But things are moving, especially with the arrival of former athletes, the rest will happen naturally according to the former champion, “we must not let our guard down”, she addresses Romane Dicko. “Never, we will fight to the end. The performance will make everyone agree”, concludes the very young world champion who does not intend to stop there.
