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A 17-year-old has already reached the pinnacle of his sport, claiming the French championship title in mixed karate. Tony, a student at the National Military Prytanée of La Flèche, secured the French champion – zone Nord – title in the light category (-80 kg) on December 6, 2025, in Villebon, Essonne.
From Rugby to Rapid Ascent in Mixed Karate
The young athlete’s quick success in a relatively new discipline is turning heads.
- Tony discovered mixed karate just a year ago while attending the National Military Prytanée.
- The discipline closely resembles MMA, but prohibits head strikes and elbow use on the ground.
- He previously competed in team sports like rugby and handball.
- Gabriel, a fellow student, is a champion in shotokan karate.
Tony’s journey to the championship began after transitioning from team sports – rugby and handball – to individual pursuits. Having studied sports studies at Lycée Sud in Le Mans, he sought the “environment of excellence” offered by the Prytanée last year. “I let off steam, it feels good,” he confided, explaining how the demanding academic schedule necessitates a physical outlet.
Mixed karate, as explained by Tony, is closely related to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), with key distinctions: head strikes are prohibited on the ground, and elbow strikes are not permitted. Standing at 1.78 m, Tony’s physical attributes – “my projections and my brute force,” he says – proved decisive during the French Cup in the North zone. Licensed with ASC Fougères, he trains at the Prytanée and will participate in final tests on January 31. He plans to celebrate his 18th birthday with family and will compete at the French Open in April, preparing for the challenges of the senior category, which he describes as “another dimension.”
Another Martial Arts Star at the Prytanée
Tony isn’t the only martial arts talent flourishing at the Prytanée. Gabriel, also 17, excels in shotokan karate, a discipline he’s practiced since age 10. The student, originally from Vernon in Eure, achieved a significant victory by winning the French Open in 2023 and securing 3rd place at the Coupe de France that same year.
Gabriel faced a setback in 2024 with a shoulder injury requiring surgery in January 2025, but he’s now “in shape” and training in Le Mans. He is scheduled to pass his black belt in 2026, marking his transition to the senior category. Both athletes face promising futures in their respective disciplines.
