Harassed by injuries and family problems, Royal Rakotoarivony had a delay in his high-level career, having been unable to invite himself to the Rio and Tokyo Olympics. But the resident of the Judo-Club-Villeneuvois and little protege of Didier Cucchi has decided to give himself one last chance, now cherishing the dream of participating in the D-0 in Paris next year.
For this, the young man of 28, originally from Madagascar and who had put down his suitcases in the country house 7 years ago, has set himself a roadmap and an individual program that he wants to scrupulously respect in every detail. “When I landed in Villeneuve in 2016, I lacked maturity and I didn’t have too many benchmarks. And then with all the extra-sporting problems I encountered, I wasn’t ready in my head. and in my body to compete in major international competitions” says Royal.
From now on, the context is very different and under the ever protective wing of his mentor Didier Cucchi, the young athlete can project himself better and without making any nasty puns; perhaps take a royal road. The one that will take him to Paris 2024. But before landing the moon and touching his dream, to be amazed, the one who is currently ranked 137th in the world in his under 100 kg category will have to suffer in training and bead with sweat.
A long-term job
“I work at the sports complex 9 hours a week and I have two weight training sessions a day.” No doubt, when he gets on the mats, Royal is no longer the same with a different approach to combat, better management, better mental preparation and above all greater maturity. It now remains for him to reap the dividends of all his efforts and turn the trial into a competition. “The most important deadline for me will be the African championships in Morocco in September. If I manage to get on the podium, I will automatically win my ticket for the D-0 in Paris with the Madagascar team.” Before that, Royal will already be able to gauge themselves technically and physically at the Grand Slam in Paris next week before an intensive course in Ibiza. And then if it wants to smile and if he has enough points, he could also be party at the Dubai World Championships in Qatar in May. “We will do everything to help him and to accompany him in his wildest dreams. Personally, I believe in him because he has changed a lot in his head” loose Didier Cucchi. Good wind therefore to Royal who could be the ambassador of the villeneuvoise city during the planetary event in the capital in 2024. In any case, it is all the harm we can wish him.
