For the third year in a row, Bourges welcomes the elite of the discipline to the Prado this weekend, with some new features intended to enhance the spectacle.
Between Bourges and karate, it was love at first sight. Since 2022, the idyll has continued with passion. “Both for the competitors and the organizers,” adds Najib Akram, the president of the Cher committee. From the first day of the first edition, the president of the French federation already suggested that we organize other competitions. Around the Prado, there are many advantages: parking is free, there are hotels nearby and, once the competition is over, competitors enjoy walking around the city center. This year, we should also have hosted the French junior championships, but we did not manage to integrate it into the calendar. Normally, we should therefore go from one to two competitions per season. »
This weekend, nearly 300 senior competitors will come to compete for the various French combat champion titles. Ten individually on Saturday: from -60 kg to +84 kg for men; from -50 kg to +68 kg for women. Then the two club team titles on Sunday.
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If the formula, now well established, has proven itself, some new features are nevertheless to be expected in this edition. “We wanted to emphasize the show thanks to the presence of a speaker, who will be present on Saturday afternoon, and a mascot who will come and distribute gifts,” adds Najib Akram. Will the finalists join the combat area with light displays? and they will be accompanied by around twenty young licensees from Cher clubs. We will also do some demonstrations of disciplines that are part of our federation, such as wushu. »
Steven Da Costa in stands
Spearheads of the discipline, such as Olympic champion Steven Da Costa, or the new world champion Mehdi Filali, should be present in the stands, in order to preserve themselves and bring out new talents on the national scene. Among the locals, we will once again find several fighters from KC Fussy THB, who will participate individually and in teams; as well as two young representatives of the Cercle Budo Bourges Karate, engaged only individually (read below).
Programme
BOURGES (Prado sports center). Senior French Championships. SATURDAY. Individual events, from 8:45 a.m. Finals from 6 p.m. Sunday. Team events, starting at 9:30 a.m.
Cher behind the fighters from the Fussy and Bourges clubs
Fusséen Valentin Aumenier (left) during the last edition (photo Olivier Martin).
At the end of the league championships, six fighters from the department, from Fussy and Bourges, obtained their ticket for the French senior championships.
Bronze medalist in May during the French junior championships and league champion, Fusséen Valentin Aumeunier (-84 kg) will have arguments to make among the seniors. As long as you don’t fall in the first round against a future medalist, as was the case in the previous edition.
Fussy in agreement with Vierzon
Also league champion, his brother Benjamin (+84 kg) will approach the competition without real pressure, after a long break due to his studies. In this same category, Marius Thorel, an upgraded junior, will make his debut at this level. Already present last year, Alona Darracq (-50 kg) will be the only representative of KC Fussy Terres du Haut Berry among the women.
“We are confident but we have no illusions,” recognizes Stéphane Aumeunier, the Fussée coach. Given the level, it will be very complicated to bring home a medal. We just hope that Valentin and Alona will manage to get through a few rounds. » Olivier Pijat, the club’s main teacher, will be part of the organizing committee, as responsible for the volunteers.
The Fussy club will also participate in the team championship on Sunday, in agreement with Vierzon. Which will allow Timothy Ferreira to join the team. “We have no chance against the big clubs,” recognizes Stéphane Aumeunier. Especially since we are leaving with a handicap since there will only be four of us, instead of five. »The Berruyers Gabriel Valliere-Vialeix and Martin Van Den Berg.
Returning from the French kata championships last weekend, in Lille (North), the Cercle Budo Bourges Karate (CBBK) will have two representatives in combat. These are two upgraded juniors: Martin Van Den Berg and Gabriel Valliere-Vialeix.
First for CBBK
“They have great explosiveness,” underlines their coach, Hachemi Haddad. Gabriel has already made a top 10 in the French championship at the junior level. He is more comfortable in sparring and Martin in kata, even if they do both. They have gained maturity, both physically and technically, which allows them to participate for the first time among the seniors. It would be huge if they got through one or two rounds. Above all, we hope that they have fun in front of family and friends. » On the other hand, the CBBK will not present a team on Sunday.
Philippe Roch
2024-04-05 10:11:22
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