“I was not predisposed to become one”

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Originally from Baye, between Pont-Aven and Quimperlé, in Finistère, Typhaine Le Gall today lives in Rennes and is PE teacher in a high school in Redon. Two weeks ago, on November 7, she was crowned world judo champion in the veterans category. For news Rennesshe agreed to look back on this victory and retrace the spectacular career that has brought her to this point.

In the final, I knew that the German was stronger than me. She is squarer, “more beefy than me”, as they say in judo. I said to myself, it’s now or never, we have to go. I started with two attacks which did not bring the expected results, but she received a penalty for non-combativity. She then launched into a strong attack which I countered and scored the ipon.

A new title for the one who, since his debut at the age of eight, accumulates very numerous participations and victories in championships at all scales, both in judo, sambo and Celtic wrestling. Last June, she won the French judo championship, allowing her to qualify for these world championships.

“I was the only girl in my class”

As a child, Typhaine was the only girl in her class: “I played with the boys all the time, I wanted to play football and judo, but my parents told me ‘one sport is enough’ and it will be judo. » The training takes place at the same time and in the same place where her big sister practices music. It was simpler that way.

HAS 13 ansthe young teenager is part of the family home. She joined the departmental class in Douarnenez. This is the beginning of his sports-study course.

I’m starting to see results. At 15, I joined the boarding school at Bréquigny high school, in Rennes. We only had to cross the street to go to the regional Dojo.

She will climb onto the departmental and regional podiums with the Rennes hope center. “That’s what opened the door for me to national tournaments. We trained every day, while having the same curriculum as the other students,” she recalls.

Parents not sporty, but a persevering family

Nearly 30 years after starting to practice this discipline, the one who will soon celebrate her 37th birthday explains that this However, the path to success was not clear cut.
: “I was not predisposed to becoming world champion. »

In the family, we are quite perseverant. I was raised with a great value for work. Persist in getting as much as possible. My parents don’t play sports, but have sporting values. My father is a butcher and charcutier by trade, which has strengthened him and my mother is the daughter of farmers. She worked a lot in the garden and always showed these values.

However, the teenage years were not all easy. “I lost my grandparents. I had to hang on and maintain the concentration I needed to move forward. »

“Most of the people who were with me have stopped”

After high school, at 18, the young woman didn’t know what she wanted to do. So, she directed towards the evidence, studies in Staps(sciences and techniques of physical and sporting activities). “As for a career, I had several avenues, but nothing concrete. »

Judo remains her favorite sport, but, at the same time, she takes up sambo wrestling and gouren. “I have been with the French Sambo team for 15 years. I have been practicing gouren, Celtic wrestling, for about the same number of years. Open-mindedness about regional culture is important to me. As a Finisterian, I wanted to have this link with Breton culture
. »

Judo and wrestling sports in general are not just a sport. It is a way of life with its moral code applicable on the mat and in everyday life: courage, respect, perseverance.

The I? “It’s a dream!” »
But she says it herself, there are a lot of people in judo. “And the French are really very strong. »

“I was told that I could not lead two fronts at the same time”

She continues to juggle between her sporting practice and her training. Typhaine obtained three master’s degrees in different fields linked to education and sport, before taking her CAPES.

When I was younger, some leaders told me that I could not lead two fronts at the same time. Yet, I did it. Most of the people who were with me have stopped. I must be the oldest today at the regional Dojo in Rennes, but I like training with the youngest.

Today, as a PE teacher, these training sessions allow her to get out of the “square side” of being a teacher: “I laugh with the young people. If I want to say something rude, I can, I’m not you don’t have to have this stature and take tweezersas with my students. »

Beyond combat sports, she also practices other sports such as running or water sports . “I have my hunting license, like my father who has a pack of dogs, which allows me to run with them in the wild. »

Thus, the thirty-year-old sees her journey as revenge. ” It’s necessary give yourself the means to havewhat we want. »

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