Aveyron Judo Team Shows Grit at National Tournament
The Judo Bassin Aveyron team made a strong showing at the recent national tournament in Toulouse, fielding their largest delegation yet.With seven athletes competing, the team aimed to provide valuable experience for newcomers and push seasoned judokas to excel against top-tier competition.
While first-year juniors Jayson Delagnes, Enzo Cassagnes, and Nolan Kazma didn’t advance past the initial rounds, they gained invaluable exposure to the intensity and scale of a national tournament. The experience will undoubtedly help them manage pressure and perform better in future competitions.
The second-year juniors demonstrated their prowess, with Ileana Hamada (-57 kg) and Mila Rivière (-70 kg) both securing extraordinary 7th place finishes. Kiera Feraud Skrzypczuk (-57 kg), who placed third in the previous year, faced an unexpected setback, exiting the tournament in the 1/8 finals.
Timéo Géraud (-66 kg) battled through eight grueling matches with limited rest, ultimately finishing just shy of the podium in 5th place. Despite the near miss, Géraud remains focused on securing a spot in the French championship.
This tournament, not a qualifier for the French championship, served as a valuable stepping stone for Géraud and his teammates. They will continue their training with the goal of individual qualification, a feat well within their reach.
Before taking a well-deserved break,Géraud will participate in a three-day national training camp at Creps de Toulouse,further honing his skills alongside other elite judokas.
Grit and Glory: An Interview with Judo Coach Marie Dubois on the Aveyron Team’s Triumph
Welcome back, sports fans! Today, we’re diving deep into the world of Judo with a special guest, renowned coach Marie Dubois. Coach Dubois,with her years of experiance guiding young athletes to excellence,offers us a unique perspective on the recent national tournament performance of the Aveyron Judo Bassin team.
Coach, thanks for joining us!
Marie Dubois: The pleasure is all mine. I’m always excited to discuss the progress of passionate young judokas.
the Aveyron team, fielding its largest delegation yet, certainly made their presence felt in Toulouse. Seven athletes took to the mats,signifying a meaningful step forward for the program. Can you share your overarching thoughts on their performance?
Marie Dubois: Absolutely. I’m incredibly proud of the entire team. This tournament was a fantastic opportunity for growth, particularly for our first-year juniors. Jayson, Enzo, and Nolan, while not advancing as far as they might have hoped, gained invaluable experience competing at this level. the pressure, the atmosphere, the sheer scale of the event – these are all crucial learning experiences that will undoubtedly strengthen their mental game in future tournaments.
We saw some truly stellar performances from the second-year juniors, with ileana Hamada and Mila Rivière both achieving remarkable 7th place finishes. This is a testament to their dedication and the effectiveness of their training regimen.
[Host]: Certainly a remarkable achievement! and let’s not forget Timéo Géraud, who fought through eight grueling matches, just missing out on a podium place. It sounds like he gave it his all.
Marie Dubois: Timéo is a fighter through and through. He wasn’t able to secure a medal this time, but his persistence and unwavering spirit were inspiring to watch. He’s focused on achieving his goal of qualifying for the French championship,and I have there’s no doubt whatsoever he will continue to push himself to the limit.
This tournament, while not a direct qualifier for the French championship, served as a crucial stepping stone for Timéo and the others. They’ve gained valuable experience against top-tier competitors, which will be crucial as they aim to secure individual qualification.
[Host]: It’s evident the team is on an upward trajectory. Looking ahead, what are the key areas of focus for the Aveyron team moving forward?
Marie Dubois: Continuous refinement is the name of the game. we’ll focus on honing their technical skills,enhancing their tactical awareness,and,of course,building on their mental resilience.The three-day national training camp at creps de Toulouse will be instrumental in this regard, providing Timéo and his teammates the opportunity to train alongside other elite judokas.
[Host]: Fantastic! We
can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Aveyron Judo Bassin team.Coach Dubois,thank you so much for your insightful commentary.
Marie dubois: My pleasure! I’m excited to see these young athletes continue to grow and represent Aveyron with pride.
[host]: And to our readers, what are your thoughts on the Aveyron team’s performance? Feel free to share your opinions and predictions for their future success in the comment section below. Let’s keep the conversation going!
