What a year 2021 for Steven Da Costa! After a resounding coronation at the Tokyo Olympics this summer, the tricolor karateka offered himself a magnificent double by winning the gold medal at the Worlds in the -67 kg category. Opposed in the final to Macedonian Emil Pavlov, the 24-year-old Meurthois did not hesitate to dispose of his opponent crowned European champion in 2014 and 2018 in the lower category (-60 kg). This victory allows the French to keep his world crown which he has been wearing for three years now. “I am very happy because it was very hard to get back on track three months after the Games,” explains Steven. This medal has a particular taste even if that of the Games remains above because it is another dimension: it was the first and certainly the last. “
While a fight lasts only three minutes, the duel began with a long round of observation which earned both protagonists a penalty after 80 seconds. Steven Da Costa therefore took matters into his own hands by placing three attacks one minute from time. His waza ari (kick) and his two ippons (punch) earned him two and three points each respectively. Thanks to this comfortable eight-point lead, the referee ended the fight with 52 seconds remaining on the clock. “If we look at the score, the fight may seem to have been simple but if he had given me the first point, the outcome could have been different, Steven analyzes. Pavlov made a lot of podiums in -60 kg and he brought out beautiful people, big heads during these Worlds. “
“I will continue to fight for my sport”
Flag bearer of the French delegation during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Games this summer, Steven Da Costa continues to dominate his category, he who also has two European titles to his name in 2016 and 2019. He was also the one of those who most strongly defended, in vain, the presence of karate at the Paris Games in 2024, the discipline having entered the Olympic program during the Olympics in Japan.
Asked about his hope to see karate reintroduced into the Olympic program in the future, the French champion was pessimistic: “I will continue to fight for my sport and I hope the decision will eventually change even if I think that it will be too late for me. For 2024, if that were to change, it would already have been the case and it is starting to be a bit tight because we are soon in 2022. I will still participate in the Paris Games as an Olympic medalist but I do not yet know in which role. “
Two tricolor bronze medals in the morning
Earlier in the day, the French had the opportunity to pocket four bronze medals in Dubai. By beating the Canadian Melissa Bratic (2-1), Alizée Agier managed to climb on the podium of -68 kg with this first world medal since her title in 2014. Objective also achieved for Jessie Da Costa, who won 4 2 against the reigning world champion in the -84 kg category, the Croatian Ivan Kvesic. “It has always been a family pride to make our dreams come true together, enthused Steven’s twin brother after the siblings’ two medals. We have always done the course together. There was never any jealousy between the two of us. “
For his part, Enzo Berthon lost against the Russian Iurik Ogannisian, bronze medalist of the last Worlds in the -60 kg. Ditto for the French men’s kata team which was eliminated by Turkey and finished fifth.
