the essentials Exceptional day yesterday for hundreds of children at the Palais des sports in Montauban (Tarn-et-Garonne): six Olympic, world or European champions in judo and jujitsu were there to promote the discipline.
“It was seriously awesome! » Théo, 11 years old, still can’t believe it. Yesterday, with his friends from Quercy martial arts, he took part in the Itinerary of Champions, a civic tour supported by France Judo. Montauban is the 3rd stage out of 11 in 2024. Two days in general, but three in the city of Ingres. All at the Palais des sports Jacques-Chirac, a marvel of a sports facility.
“The Champions’ Route,” summarizes Lionel Quillet, the president of the departmental judo committee (2,400 members), “it is a moment of meeting between champions of yesterday and today and a group of audiences, judokas from our clubs, schools, the elderly, and disabled children.”
A magnificent platter
And yesterday it hit the mark. Firstly because of the pedigree of the champions: Céline Lebrun, 2000 Olympic vice-champion, Cathy Arnaud, 1987 and 1989 world champion, Guy Delvingt, winner of the 1981 and 1982 Paris tournament, Guillaume Chaine, gold medal at the Olympics in Tokyo in 2021, Alexandre Iddir, also in Tokyo gold, and Estelle Gaspard, originally from Carcassonne, three times Jujitsu world champion. A magnificent field and athletes who played the game with seriousness, diligence and also good humor.
Fred Lecanu on the microphone in front of the champions required for the France Judo DDM tour – DDM MANUEL MASSIP
The other reason for the success of this Itinerary is due to its logistical and technical scope: a giant tatami, Japanese decorations, a vast podium, a giant screen, clips (hello from Thierry Marx), a taiko orchestra (Japanese drums ), the Kodomo mascot, leading sponsors (Crédit agricole, Enedis, the City of Montauban, etc.), and an excellent Mr. Loyal, Fred Lecanu, himself flanked by a fine track record as a judoka (he beat Teddy Riner at the individual France in 2006!), who we also know as a commentator on L’Équipe or Eurosport.
And even a set of Japanese DDM drums – DDM MANUAL MASSIP
Judo, with its values of sharing, solidarity and respect “is a school of life,” he says. And it is this “moral code” which served as a common thread during this day of discussions.
With mentally retarded children
In the morning, around a hundred mentally retarded children, from level 1 autism to Down syndrome, took their place on the tatami, many for the first time in their lives. IME Bellissen, Pierre Sarraut, Paul Soulié, and others, with their supervisors. For them, the same session as for the able-bodied in the afternoon, just with less loud music. The same warm-up, the same work with the partner, but no fighting. Dorianne, 21 years old, 2nd dan judokate and specialized companion, had tears in her eyes at the end of the meeting. “Everything went well, without stress, without deviations.” We are talking here about children who often have difficulty having physical contact with another, “and sometimes the valve is twisted” in the words of Fred Lecanu. There, judo is much more than a sport.
“A magical moment”
In the afternoon, the Valence clubs of Agen, Beaumont, Castelsarrasin, Moissac, Nègrepelisse, Verdun, Bressols, Lot, Haute-Garonne and Tarn also arrived with their young people to follow the great judo show with champions still available.
Céline Lebrun very involved DDM – DDM MANUEL MASSIP
“A magical moment, a moment of sharing”, summed up Céline Lebrun well, her heart in Montauban, but her mind turned towards Paris 2024, where judo is expected to be a major provider of medals. A triumph for the mascot Kodomo, the red panda from Japan DDM – DDM MANUEL MASSIP
In the meantime, judo continues to animate the Montauban Sports Palace, with the French Para Judo Adapted Championship on Saturday, “with incredible athletes, recommends Alain Spaint, president of the departmental adapted sports committee, and several of Olympic level”. Not the same route, but superb champions.
2024-04-04 06:36:00
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