By Writing Le Bessin
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News: Charles, first mix karate competition and already first victory which makes you the new French champion of the discipline…
Charles Gerard: A first competition (it took place on February 19 and 20 in Paris, editor’s note) on a kick and kick discipline which I was eager for it to begin, since I only slept two hours the day before! I had been able to observe the veteran category before my first fight and taking a punch in the first three seconds of it put me in condition. I started karate at the end of November knowing that these championships would come quickly. Judo taught me how to fight on the ground or in clinch but I knew I would have to learn new techniques. I was starting from scratch because I didn’t want to rest on my judoka skills. I’m happy because my shots hit and hurt. The work paid off.
I didn’t want them to see me lose.
We can imagine your satisfaction but how did you prepare for this competition since you have only been practicing mix karate for a short time?
C.G : I didn’t jump for joy, but inside I was very happy because I was able to put into practice what I had learned. My opponents, like Loïc [Marty, DTR Ligue Nouvelle-Aquitaine et ancien champion du monde, ndlr] who coached me in the final, were surprised to see me get this far. I’m proud because my parents have come a long way to encourage me and I didn’t want them to see me lose in my first fight. I inflicted pain on myself. Judo and daily exercise gave me good cardio, but for two weeks I intentionally weighted my legs to gain strength and speed.
“A variant of MMA”
Could you explain to us what mix karate consists of? What are the rules?
C.G : Mixed karate is a recent sport whose rules are still evolving with each competition. It is a variant of MMA because there are more rules. If you fight in an octagon, you can’t elbow while standing, knee to the head and you can’t knock on the ground. Shin guards and foot guards, mouth guards, helmets and shells reduce the force of impacts but you can still feel them! I now hope to do as well during the French Open which could open the doors to me for selection courses for major international competitions.
Getting punched in the face changed me.
Was your past as a judoka useful to you in winning this competition?
C.G : Judo taught me to put myself in my bubble and know how to stress myself out in order to give myself a rage when the time comes. I already mastered the techniques of ground combat and hand-to-hand combat. In judo as in karate, when I launch an attack, I launch it at 100%. Each fight won brings me closer to the final victory. Getting punched in the face changed me. The first one moved my jaw but I figured I had no choice but to cash in. Judo and karate mix complement each other. You can customize your own combinations.
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