A little over a week ago, on April 5, the French Judo Federation formalized the choice of Madeleine Malonga rather than Audrey Tcheuméo for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the -78kg category. After a big battle fought in this quest for the Games, Madeleine Malonga returned in particular to the relationship she has with Audrey Tcheuméo, in the Intégrale Sport on RMC.
“This last year has not been easy”
The French judoka first looked back on a year of Olympic qualification which was far from easy. “It was very difficult mentally to hang on to get this selection but today it’s done so I’m happy but it’s true that this last year hasn’t been easy.”
Competition with Audrey Tcheuméo visibly affected their relationship. “Today, it’s true that we are clearly adversaries or at least competitors, afterwards, I want to say that it is not easy to accept this competition and above all each person manages it as he can. There are people who will manage competition very well and who will be able to be friends with their competitor and then others not. Sometimes, when it is not our choice we must respect the choice of our competitor. It’s true that we’re not friends, but I think there’s still some respect deep down in each of us.”
If certain sports involve the mind, judo is a sport which also requires showing who is the physically strongest to be at the top. “It’s true that judo is a combat sport and this physical confrontation, I find that it also accentuates this competition,” continues Malonga. “Because I find that when we compete in a sport like the Popov brothers (in badminton), even if it is another subject because they are brothers, when there is not this physical contact I find that it “It’s different. Whereas for combat sport there is a balance of power, of domination too, it’s not easy to manage.”
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“You just have to respect but it’s hard”
With only one athlete per weight category for each nation, the Olympic regulations are strict for large countries like France and Japan. “It’s true that making a selection based on the Olympic ranking would be cool, after all these are the rules today so we adapt, we work with the rules of the moment. At the same time, this competition transcends us, it pushes us to our limits, to our limits and in some way it pushes us to become stronger. But I also think that we must have a thought in my case for Audrey (Tcheuméo) as well as the other French women who. were number 2 and did not start.”
Madeleine Malonga had a few words for several athletes who will miss the Olympics. “I think we also have to say to ourselves that it’s true we are not French number 1 to be able to qualify but we are not bad either, we are very strong and each one has a crazy track record, I think for example of Blandine Pont who was not selected in 48 kilos and who had an incredible season. In my category, there is Audrey (Tcheuméo) and there is also Margaux (Pinot, -70kg) or Julia (. Tolofua) in Romane’s category (Dicko, +78kg), it’s crazy competition. You just have to respect but it’s hard, it’s difficult but that doesn’t take away from our level and I really have it. a thought to my friends because today I’m smiling but it could have been the other way around and it’s true that in moments like that, it can be very, very difficult mentally.”
After all this tension, we will now have to concentrate on the Olympic Games. “I was able to already have two weeks off, it did me good, I’m going back to training on Monday and then it’s true that there are tensions about not knowing, not having ideas clear, but now we’re going to get into our preparation process and then we’re focused on the goal in order to bring home as many medals as possible.”
After silver at the Tokyo Games, the stated objective is the gold medal, the only distinction missing from Malonga’s record. “I am currently number 5 in the world and I will still have competitions where I will be able to climb the ranking. There is a Grand Slam or the World Championships in May, I do not yet know which competition I will be in sent so it can still rise to that level, and then obviously the ambition for the Games is the gold medal, it’s the only medal missing from my list of achievements and I think that in addition to having the Games at home will transcend us, the public will be with us, we will be at home so I will give everything.”
Original article published on RMC Sport
2024-04-14 19:58:09
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