It’s 7:30 p.m. last Friday. At the Bias dojo, the judo club’s training continues in the various age categories under the direction of professor Bruno Vincent and president Jean-Marc Tonti, while relations manager Marie Vincent welcomes the children’s parents. But eyes often go towards the front door of the structure, reflecting an impatient wait.
And at 7:45 p.m., everyone was getting excited. “Here they are!” The heroes of the kata worlds in Las Vegas have just arrived from Bordeaux, which they had joined directly on Tuesday after 19 hours of travel by plane and train, studying for a Staps degree required.
We gather around Julian and Hector Vincent who, with a bronze medal for NAGE NO kata (under 23) around their necks, receive the first warm congratulations from mom, dad, Jean-Marc, all three in heaven, judoka friends and parents present. The questions abound. The medalists never stop recounting in detail the feelings of their odyssey: “We were more tense during the qualifiers than in the final. Our goal was to reach the podium for our last year of participation in the under-23 category. The floor mats were new and therefore slippery, we performed well in our qualifying group. However, we didn’t hesitate to take a few risks in the final and it worked out for us. on details compared to the two Spanish couples who precede us in the ranking.”
Mission accomplished for our duo drunk with happiness who are the second French in History to be a medalist in their category at the world championships. His short stay was nonetheless enhanced by visits including that of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, in Arizona, with its impressive gorges.
“We will now leave the dojo until the end of 2024, conclude the twins. We will put on the kimono at the beginning of 2025 in order to prepare for the various kata competitions which will resume in March. In the senior category now where we will be confronted with a level At 23 years old next August, this new challenge will not displease us.” La Dépêche du Midi is ready to tell the story of the future exploits of Julian and Hector, brilliant ambassadors of the small Bias city throughout the world.
