She says she’s no longer the same, but we wouldn’t swear to it as Anaïs Perrot’s voice seems to be trampolining on a carpet of positive waves, and as her words still radiate as much dynamism. The reverse would have been surprising when the judoka from US Orléans was preparing, last week, to fly to the Democratic Republic of Congo, to represent France, the heart and the red white blue kimono this Wednesday August 2, at the Francophone Games.
“I spent two complicated years at INSEP”, confides the 22-year-old young woman, who fights in less than 48 kg. She evokes “the change of environment. I suffered morally…” Less envy. Less life.
For a year, nothing is the same
Her arrival at US Orléans last summer marked “the end of my ordeal”, she says, “and the beginning of my renewal”. Like his “discussions with trusted people”, and “work on myself. I had to accept that judo is just judo; that even if it holds a very big place in my life , it is not everything”. Anaïs Perrot no longer wants to put herself in danger, mentally speaking. “Having gone through this at 19, 20,” she remembers positively, “it’s a blessing in disguise. I understood when I was young!”
Since she “changed completely” and worked with Tony Rodriguez, the USO’s high performance manager (“I saw him regularly on the mats, I wanted to train with him”), “not once have I had enough of judo”. Anaïs Perrot refines her “specials”, improves her positioning, takes care to be aggressive at the start of the fight.
“I’ve evolved a lot mentally: I come to training to try things. It doesn’t matter if I fall!”
Anaïs Perrot (Judoka from the US Orleans)
At the Games of La Francophonie, she will therefore dare. “I’m a little apprehensive, but above all I tell myself that this selection for the France team is a reward.” From his second place, in particular, to the European Open in Sofia, in February. “My first senior medal.”
Make an impression and mark the prize lists from the start of the school year
Rather than the end of her season, Kinshasa is a stage in this great journey that she hopes to take her to Los Angeles. “Little Anaïs”, the one who likes “to be the mascot of the USO team” and instill “good humor”, has high ambitions: “I want to position myself as much as possible for the 2028 Olympic Games ; those of my generation, says the current 114th in the world, and ninth in France. This year is the one where I have to seize my chance”.
To apply for the succession of Shirine Boukli, the world No. 1, and Blandine Pont (No. 4), both 24 years old. Anaïs Perrot, who will be on the bridge from September, covets “the title of champion of France in the first division, mid-November. To make my entry into the big leagues.” And leave behind her, “little Anaïs”. Definitively.
Pascal Bourgeais
2023-08-01 17:02:58
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