The champion imposes it. Athletic, slender, Madeleine Malonga gives her instructions, on this wintery Thursday, in the dojo of the Alain Mimoun complex, in Rueil-Malmaison (Hauts-de-Seine). “ No arm lock, no strangulation, otherwise it’s the red card! And there, it’s me who brings you down… » The joke has its effect: the 6th graders from Marcel-Pagnol college, most of whom are new to judo, listen attentively. Required attire, beyond the kimono worn: “ We sit like judokas, not like at the beach… We greet our partner… Hajime! »
The rest after this ad
For this initiation, the fight is limited to the ground, and Dounia, orange belt, faces the novice Gaspard: draw. A handful of students from Ulis classes (Localized Units for Educational Inclusion) joined, like Nikolas, who puts all his energy into trying to bring down Dado. At the edge of the tatami, the supervisors and Thibaut Legrain, founder of the Hope association, enjoy. In 2020, he had one goal in mind when launching the adventure: to support athletes who dream of the Olympic Games in “ small » sports, like the kayaker Camille Prigent or the blind football player Yvan Wouandji; and organize meetings between champions and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds or those with disabilities “ so that disability and social environment are no longer obstacles ».
Madeleine Malonga therefore invites the most experienced young judokas to assist her with the demonstrations. At first intimidated, they take to the game. Sylvie, the AESH (accompanying students with disabilities), encourages Elena to face Imram, for the last fight which ends in radiant smiles.
Madeleine Malonga’s favorite virtue?
Courage
« Have you experienced any failures? » Questions from the college students, carefully prepared, flowed in after the session. The world champion responds simply: “ I cry all the time, my name is Madeleine! “. She talks about her doubts, her strengths – “ believe in yourself, without ever giving up » –, the incomparable atmosphere of the Paris Tournament, the emotion of its great victories and its objective of Paris 2024. In its sights, Olympic gold, “ the only medal that I miss as an individual “, and a possible revenge against Shori Hamada, Japanese rival for whom she ” lots of respect », who defeated her in the final of the Tokyo Games. Madeleine Malonga promotes her sport: “ Everyone can do judo, as long as they respect their moral code: respect, modesty, courage, friendship, self-control… » His favorite virtue? Courage, without hesitation!
Photo signings conclude the session, with a swarm of young people won over. The easy contact and availability of the judokate delighted Ophélie Garnot, head teacher who made her 6th grade a “ Olympic class »: the school year is punctuated by the discovery of little-known sports, the study of ancient Games for the field of history, or the organization of an Olympics day for middle school. The teacher remembers the unfiltered questions from her students, marked by the meeting with Rachid Kaissa, wheelchair basketball player and educator. The meeting with Madeleine Malonga was set up by the Hope association, in fact.
The rest after this ad
Financed by corporate foundations, the association is preparing to experience an Olympic year of particular intensity. Both by following the deadlines of the athletes supported, but also because of the social impact of sport, declared a major national cause. Thibaut Legrain has only one objective, “ take advantage of this momentum! »
2024-01-07 16:13:38
#Reportage #Hope #association #inspiration #champions
