Minas Andzyan is Armenian, he arrived in Normandy at the age of 7 to leave a country in conflict and become a high-level athlete. With his Grand-Quevilly club, he has achieved numerous milestones despite administrative difficulties. Meeting with the nugget of Norman judo.
At 17 years old, he is one of the rising stars of French judo, an Armenian uprooted from his country for 10 years now. In Normandy his parents found a welcoming land far from geopolitical conflicts which touch Upper Karabakh with the hope that Minas can follow in the footsteps of his father, a former professional wrestler.
My father does everything he can for me to succeed in sport, and so does my whole family. I am the one who opens the way.
In its path, few adversaries can resist its power. Sacred French cadet champion in the under 90 kilos category last March, the Armenian performed at a high level and obtained an exemption to wear the kimono of the French team.
Under its new colors, it wins bronze at the European Cup from Berlin. Sitting next to Minas on the sofa in the family apartment, his brother Hakob is admiring.
It is the result of hard work. He always aimed for excellence. He always did more than the others, he didn’t get there by magic.
Hakob Andzyan, brother of Minas
And he went to get this European medal with courage and by car.
While waiting to obtain French nationality, Minas’ only identity document is an expired passport. So when his partners travel by plane, the Andzyans are forced to reach Germany by road.
When I arrive there, I feel a little different from the others who arrived by plane. When I travel for twelve hours, I don’t have the right to leave without a medal. This is also why I give my all in competition.
The young man adds. “If I don’t win anything, the return will be even longer too” Minas moves forward despite everything with determination and wisdom.
In the Grand-Quevilly dojo, the judoka trains. “Inside hands, go grab, go grab“, we hear. The directives come from his coach Paco Legrand which saw Minas blossom and become this robust fighter with an imperturbable mind.
He doesn’t get carried away by the passion of competition or stress. He has great intelligence in combat. He is constantly looking for new technical solutions when a new situation confronts him.
Paco Legrand, coach of the Judo Club Grand Quevilly
His trainer makes us a promise. “He has made a leap forward but he is only at the beginning. I can assure you that Minas, we will see him again in big competitions in a few years.”
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PORTRAIT. Minas Andzyan, the rising star of French judo • ©France Télévisions
Indeed imperturbable, the nugget of Norman judo has a clear and stated objective.
My real goal as a judoka: the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles where I will aim for the gold medal.
“Ce is not a burden for me to win or lose. I live by doing judo, it’s a good life for me.” Next step: European Championships in Bulgaria end of June. After more than 24 hours on the road and a few fights, he will be able to hope to make the French national anthem ring out for the first time.
2024-04-29 07:48:55
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