“In judo, out of politeness and respect, we do not refuse a fight. It’s a rule. As I think that in life, we cannot refuse the situations that are offered to us. »
Diana Chabron leaves her students momentarily with her co-trainer to receive me in the dojo kitchen. She is president of the Collombey-Muraz Judo School (EJCM), a club with a long history, founded in 1977 by Michel Vejvara.
Twenty years later, young Diana arrives from Lausanne. She was then an orange belt and joined the EJCM as a student. But the history of the club is marked by tragic episodes: in 2001, its founder died, followed in 2010 by Grégoire Baudin, central pillar of the school and vice-president of the Valais Judo Association.
At 21, she took charge of the Collombey-Muraz club
At just 21 years old, Diana finds herself in front of a decapitated school. She decides to take charge. “Either I lend a hand or I agree to watch the club collapse. So, I chose to go for it, and to go all out! »
Today, the school trains around a hundred students aged four to twenty, with a proportion of 70% boys. But there is no age to start judo: novice adults are also initiated, starting with judo on the ground before gradually learning falls.
Thanks to good media coverage and social networks, the school attracts many beginners. Despite competition from football, classes are full, to the point that the EJCM sometimes has to refuse new students.
Impressive results
The year 2019 was particularly successful, with six Swiss champion titles in U18 and U21 for eight participants. Since then, the EJCM has provided one to three Swiss champions each year. Some young judokas are also distinguishing themselves on the European and world stage, like Stevan Maitin, 5th at the U21 European Championship and selected for the World Championships last October.
The youngest also travel with Diana, who accompanies 12-13 year olds to Belgium, the Netherlands, France or Germany. And they win! Diana attributes this success to desire and passion, more than talent alone.
“Michel Vejvara has trained a lot of good judokas. He was passionate, he breathed judo, he lived judo. I followed in his footsteps. I’m here every day, I train between twelve and fourteen times a week, and I compete forty-five weekends a year. »
A communicative passion
But judo is not just about competition. The art of self-control and respect for others are instilled from an early age.
Each workout begins with a greeting to the tatami, to express respect for the room. From the age of four, in baby judo classes, students learn to greet their partner, first with the hand, then on their knees like judokas. Politeness, sharing, respect and self-control are fundamental values on the tatami. They also help manage the frustration of failure, both in competition and in life.
For Diana, judo is a true school of life: “A judoka will fall, but he will get up again. In life too, we fall several times and we get up again. » These values echo Eastern and Japanese culture. The students, often passionate about this culture, also learn the history of judo. The two katanas displayed behind Diana are a beautiful illustration of this.
Also president of the Valais Association of Judo and Jujitsu
At the same time, Diana is president of the Valais Judo and Ju-jitsu Association (AJJV), which brings together clubs during events such as the Valais Team Championships. The association organizes the French-speaking Championships every six years, technical courses and subsidizes athletes with good results, while supporting local clubs.
Diana can also count on the help of other coaches at the school and young Swiss champions, who regularly return to give training to the little ones. A loyalty that illustrates the beautiful values of this sport.
Let’s leave the conclusion to Diana: “Yes, I’m a good captain, but I have good sailors with me in the boat!” »
Text: Gilles Scherlé
Photos : Archives EJCM
