Charline Van Snick: “My return is a fight against myself”

Living in the French capital for a few years now, she would end a fine career there, marked by an Olympic medal (bronze in 2012, in London) and six European podiums (twice gold, silver and bronze), all in -48 kg. Having climbed to -52 kg at the end of 2016, after the Rio Games, the Liégeoise would like to experience the same success there.

Since the Masters, in Jerusalem, where she was not yet ready, she participated in three competitions (Paris, Tel Aviv and Antalya), accumulating nine fights which saw her progress, without however managing to reach the final block, where the medals are played. Never mind, Charline Van Snick knows where she comes from and that the process is long to find all her feelings on the tatami. Interview…

Charline, how does this Mondial look like?

“Listen, well… Except that I took a bad blow on the head in training, at the beginning of the week, which forced me to rest completely for two days. Fortunately, most of the preparation was behind me. The last few days are often spent dropping weights, which has gone well in all three Grand Slams I’ve been to.”

Are you satisfied with your performance at the start of the year?

”I had four fights in Paris, two in Tel Aviv and three in Antalya. I saw a progression there, which is encouraging. Above all, I have never been outclassed, even against opponents well ranked in the world rankings like the Hungarian Pupp, in Paris, or the Italian Giuffrida, in Tel Aviv. You mustn’t forget that I have come a long way after my health problems following the Tokyo Games. I feel better and better on the tatami, whether in training or in competition. I manage to last longer. You know, my return is a fight against myself. There are days when it’s still hard. But, when I see where I was six months ago, I am very satisfied with my evolution, even if I still hope for better.

After the Grand Slam of Antalya, you did not participate in the camp. For what ?

“Simply because I needed to recover, more than before. Each competition requires a huge effort from me. I give myself fully. After Antalya, I went straight back to Paris, where I took a few days of relative rest with technical training sessions. I didn’t need randoris (combat simulation) at this moment. Then I resumed my normal schedule.”

You were doing an internship in Papendal, the Netherlands. How was it ?

“Interesting ! There were the Dutch, of course, but also a few Swiss and Italians. I also trained a lot with Manon Lecharlier, who fights in -57 kg. It was a good internship. But I also appreciate my own structure, in Paris, in particular with Nicolas Ott. He runs a club called Smartfight where there are several top athletes in boxing, wrestling and even MMA. I find this diversity very interesting because it opens up perspectives. Wrestling, for example, brings me a lot for my work on the ground. Just like climbing for grip and flexibility. I like to take in other sports what can bring me in judo. And then, at the club, we form a good group that encourages each other constantly. I feel like all my sparring partners are pulling me up.”

What do you really expect from this World Cup?

“I have confidence in myself. I know I can shake up anything, including the best ones. But I will also need a bit of luck. I am currently 30th in the world and the draw may have a surprise in store for me. So I will take fight by fight and I will give the best of myself, knowing all the support I get from my family and friends. It is precious to know that they are behind me, with me. This World Cup represents a great challenge, even if I am aware that I still have a margin.

A word from Qatar. We talk less about extra-sport than during the World Cup, right?

“That’s right ! And I regret it… Because the whole problem of this country is the same as at the end of 2022. But Qatar buys everything! To smooth its image. The fact remains that the problems related to ecology, women’s rights and others are still relevant. You know that I am very committed to the subject. I may be even more so after my sports career!”