Young Judoka Abel Pages Represents Haut-Lignon at French Championships
Villebon-sur-Yvette, Essonne – Thirteen-year-aged Abel Pages of the Judo Club du Haut-Lignon competed at the French Minime Judo Championships this past Sunday. The event, held in Villebon-sur-Yvette, marked a significant milestone in the young athlete’s burgeoning career.
Pages, currently in his second year as a Minime (a youth category in French Judo), has been training with the Haut-Lignon club since the age of five. His dedication culminated in qualification for the national championships after strong performances at the departmental and regional levels. Preparing for the competition required diligent attention to his weight, staying below the 73 kg limit.
Road to the Championships
Pages’ journey to the French Championships began with a first-place finish at the departmental championships. This victory secured his spot in the interdepartmental competition – encompassing the former Auvergne region plus the Loire department. He continued his success by finishing third at the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Championship on February 28th, a competition featuring athletes from 12 departments. This strong showing earned him a place among the top 50 judokas in his category at the national level.
While Pages was ultimately eliminated in the sixteenth-finals of the French Championships, having successfully navigated his qualifying pool, the experience represents a major achievement for both the athlete and the Judo Club du Haut-Lignon. It’s the first time the club has had a competitor reach this stage in the Minime category.
Club Pride and Future Aspirations
Raphael Carrot, the coach at the Judo Club du Haut-Lignon, emphasized the significance of Pages’ accomplishment. “We’ve had judokas selected for the French Championships before, but this is the first time in the Minime category,” Carrot said. “Abel is currently a blue belt, he will pass to brown at the complete of the season, and will prepare for black belt as soon as the next school year begins.” Carrot accompanied Pages to the competition in the Île-de-France region.
Pages himself expressed his excitement and pride. “I’m very happy and very proud,” he said, adding that maintaining his weight required discipline – “you shouldn’t eat too much sugar and you should eat lots of vegetables.” At 1.73m tall, Pages demonstrates considerable physical development for his age.
The Judo Club du Haut-Lignon also saw success in the Junior category, with Cyprien Févelat finishing 7th at the Regional Championship. Carrot noted this was “also a good performance.”
A Growing Club
The Judo Club du Haut-Lignon boasts 130 members, who train at the dojo at the Stade Jo-Maso in Tence on Monday evenings and at the Bretchs in Chambon-sur-Lignon on Friday evenings. The club’s schedule allows competitive athletes to participate in two training sessions per week, accelerating their progress.
For young athletes like Abel Pages, the club provides a supportive environment to develop their skills and pursue their passion for judo. His performance at the French Championships is a testament to the dedication of both the athlete and the coaching staff.
The club’s commitment to fostering talent is evident in the success of its members at both the regional and national levels. As Abel Pages continues his judo journey, he serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes within the Judo Club du Haut-Lignon and beyond.
What’s Next: Abel Pages will continue training with the Judo Club du Haut-Lignon, preparing for his transition to a brown belt at the end of the season and ultimately aiming for a black belt in the future. The club will continue to support its members in their pursuit of excellence in judo.
Share your thoughts on Abel Pages’ performance and the Judo Club du Haut-Lignon’s success in the comments below!
