280 judokas took part in the Tahiti Cup on Saturday November 23 in Fautaua. Children sometimes come from far away to compete on the tatami mats like those of the Rangiroa judo club. They had their last breakfast in Tahiti this Sunday morning before taking the plane. Encounter.
Little Kealoha proudly holds her fourth place in her hands… The eight-year-old judoka returns to Rangiroa without a medal, but with the memory of her first competition in Tahiti, the meetings and the strong moments shared with her club comrades. “I did everything I could to win this event. I lost, but the most important thing is to participate… When you’re not with the parents, you don’t know how to make ma’a but you can go to the snack bar with people. It was good” relates the little girl.
21 children from Rangiroa were able to participate in the 2024 Tahiti Cup, thanks to the investment of the club’s leaders – at least 600,000 Fcfp. At the end of the day of competition on Saturday, the young athletes won seven medals, including two gold, one silver and four bronze. “When I fought, it went well, my partners were good. (…) We had fun and then we did some stupid things” book Hinarava Place Burns, bronze medalist.
For this third year of participation, the judo club did well against the other delegations. “We are proud of them, of the work they did on the mat, of their state of mind, their behavior throughout the weekend. (…) It’s several hours a week volunteering for these children but it’s for these moments that we do this, the work pays off. And just seeing their happiness on the podium receiving their medals…it’s all there!” smiles Rangiroa coach, Léo Mondon.
Recently owning a restaurant in Papeete, the couple at the head of the club took care of the meals for the children themselves. This Sunday morning, a gourmet breakfast consisting of waffles, pain au chocolat and peanut butter toast ends the stay in style. “It makes me so happy! I’m from Rangiroa, so I have a special attachment to these children and to have them come, see them fight and win, it really gives me great pleasure. To see that they eat well at my house is a great satisfaction.” confides Cynthia Leduc, treasurer of the judo club. Without her and her husband, the Rangiroa judo club would no longer exist. The couple took over the reins two years ago, so that the children of their atoll could continue to experience these moments.
