Tahiti, November 25, 2024 – Saturday, at the Fautaua gymnasium, the Polynesian Judo Federation organized the Tahiti Cup for its chicks, juniors, juniors and cadets categories. A real success, since 280 children were present. Coming from different clubs on the island, but also from Rangiroa, these budding fighters competed against each other while respecting the values that this sport represents.
There were a lot of people this Saturday under the dome of the gymnasium at the Fautaua stadium for the Tahiti Cup in the chick, junior, junior and cadet categories. So many people that the venue of the competition had to be changed to accommodate all these fighters. A great success which clearly demonstrates the good health of Polynesian judo. And this state of form, judo owes in large part to its technical manager, Franck Bellard, who has been working hard for his little protégés for four years now. : “We are happy to see so many participants this year. It’s a record. The work carried out by the island’s clubs and the federation has made it possible to see all these young people blossom. There is also the Rangiroa club which is there today with more than twenty children. Manihi and Raiatea also have a judo club, but unfortunately they couldn’t come today. We are able to develop similarly in the islands and we are happy that it is happening like this.”
Organized in the form of qualifying pools, then final phases, this cup was an opportunity for some to compete for the first time. And even for the little ones, it was their first fight on a tatami. Mixed groups, boys and girls, were formed by weight category, but also by year, coupling two age groups (children born in 2015 and 2016 together, the 2013s with the 2014s, and the 2011s with the 2012s) to allow children to do more fighting. “We really wanted to prioritize the fact that the children do as many fights as possible. They all started in a group and were able to have two, three, four, even six fights for some, so it’s a great success to gain experience. Franck Bellard explained to us.
Spotting future hopes
A competition whose results hardly mattered for the chicks and youngest categories, whose aim was simply to have fun together. For the junior and cadet categories, the objective was quite different. This competition, but also all the other tournaments, will make it possible to select the future judokas and judokates who will represent Polynesia at the future French junior and junior championships.. “It’s a goal for these young people, they work all year long for it. These competitions are important to show off, but it is not an end goal either. We follow them throughout the year and have permanent contact with their coaches to take stock of the potential of each of them,” continues the head of Polynesian judo.
Names come back, like Jade Popoff, who wins her minimalist category in -55 kg and Livie Rahmoun in -47 kg for girls. Among the boys, we find Anton Guilleminot in -41 kg minimal, or Kearii Chene among the cadets in -56 kg. A great competition before meeting all these beautiful people on December 14 for the ATN Challenge. Another important step towards qualification for the 2025 French championships.
