After winning bronze in the Solomons and silver in Palau, Manatoa Luciani – Renaud de la Faverie intends to adorn himself with gold at the Pacific Games in Tahiti in 2027. And it is in Bordeaux that the 19-year-old Polynesian has chosen to continue his preparation, with coach Guillaume Faure, also coach of the Olympic champion and world champion Joan-Benjamin Gaba. A framework which is already producing results: the young judoka took the first step of the podium in a tough regional cup, even though he was competing in a higher weight category than usual.
And one more medal around the neck of Manatoa Luciani Renaud de la Faverie. This 19-year-old judoka is a rising tatami star: champion of Polynesia from 2023, the year in which he also won bronze at the Solomon Games, medalist several times since then in regional challenges and championships, and first Tahitian in his category in the international ranking, he won a nice silver medal at the Pacific Mini-Games in Palau in July. Obviously, Tahiti 2027 is on his mind, it’s even his main objective. And it is in mainland France that the Polynesian chose to prepare, choosing to study in Bordeaux to be closer to one of the most popular French centers in the country. Obviously, he is keeping his level: this weekend, he was a gold medalist in the Aquitaine regional senior cup, a very tough competition.
A performance which earned him the congratulations of the Polynesian federation, especially since the athlete, usually registered in -73 kilos, was two small kilos overweight and competed in the higher category, with less than 81 kilos. Manatoa Luciani will have to decide in which category he will be most comfortable for the next Games, in a year and a half. A reflection and a preparation for which he is very well surrounded: his coach, Guillaume Faure, is also that of Joan-Benjamin Gaba, individual Olympic vice-champion, Olympic team champion, and since last year world champion… Precisely in the category of less than 73 kilos.
