Mélanie De Jesus Dos Santos embodies the future of French gymnastics. On Friday, the 19-year-old became European all-around champion. Only Marine Debauve achieved this performance in 2005 for France. However, the road to this coronation was not easy for the Martinican. An injury in January then uncertainty. First two poorly managed apparatuses before a cannonball ending. With a gold medal already around his neck, De Jesus Dos Santos, seventh this Saturday on the uneven bars, is aiming for the double with the floor on Sunday.
What does this title mean to you?
MELANIE DE JESUS DOS SANTOS. This represents all the work put into training, despite a rather complicated start because I was not supposed to be on the four apparatuses for these European Championships. I’m super happy.
You were very uncertain in the all-around due to an injury to your left hand in January. Is it all the stronger to win?
It doesn’t have the same flavor (as the European floor title in 2018) because, when I was injured, I didn’t think I could have this title at all. Now that I have it, I think it’s great.
You climbed crescendo over the four apparatuses (vault, uneven bars, beam and floor). How did you manage your competition?
The beginning was a bit complicated with not great notes. I made small mistakes. But afterwards, I told myself that I really wanted to get on the podium so I didn’t give up. I fought until the end.
You get the best scores on beam and floor. Was it mental that led you to win gold?
I think yes. It’s work on yourself. I’m starting to do a lot of competitions now. It’s the experience.
This is your second European title with the one on floor in 2018. Are you the revival of French gymnastics?
(Hesitation). In fact, I don’t think I even realized what I did yet. But yes maybe. To know that I have made French gymnastics history is great. I am honored. I really wanted this medal.
In 2012, at the age of 12, you left Martinique for Saint-Etienne. Do you realize how far you have come?
I tell myself that I came a long way after all. When I left home, from Martinique, I thought I would never be able to be on the roof of Europe, to be the best European. Now I’m like, “Wow.” What a long way we have come so far. I worked hard for this.
In 2015, you seriously injured your knee (ruptured ligaments) and you missed the Olympic Games in 2016 in Rio. What motivated you to not give up?
I didn’t want to stop there, I wanted international medals. It’s true that it was a fairly serious injury, which deprived me of competition and gym for nine months. It was hard because I was at the physiotherapist all the time. To return to competition, it’s also complicated. But I think it built me mentally and I think that’s also why I’m mentally strong today. »
What are your ambitions now? The Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020?
First the Worlds. I hope to have a medal at these World Championships (October 4 to 13, 2019 in Stuttgart). I really take the competitions step by step, I know that there will be others to qualify (for the 2020 Olympics). I’m not at the Games yet.
You have trained several times with American star Simone Biles, four-time Olympic champion. What did it bring you?
With the French team, we had the chance to train with her for ten days in her training room. It was something a little unusual for us, a real chance. It was really weird and it brought us a lot of things. Certainly, she is very strong but for her it is something totally normal, simple. I watched the way she trained. And I took a little inspiration from it.
You still have the beam and floor competition, of which you are the defending champion, this Sunday. The goal is to keep your crown on the ground?
Yes of course. For the balance beam, I will give my best for a medal. But this is my main objective, which remains the ground.
