Yannick Borel, slinger of the silver sword – Libération

2024-07-28 22:16:37

Member of the trio that managed to get rid of the national coach, 35-year-old Idasman lost in the final against Koki Kano Japanese, this Sunday 28 July. His teammate Romain Cannone, the reigning Olympic champion, left soon.

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One manager recounts the tension of an Olympic final. It took a minute, first, during which the two shooters measured each other with the point of the weapon, without daring to initiate. It ends with sharing a warning to everyone for lack of initiative. We are not there to see two weapons fighting each other. After these preliminaries, Yannick Borel (world number 4) and Japanese Koki Kano (world number 3) finally entered the action. Engine.

If exercise were a combat sport, this match would have been in all categories because the size difference is obvious. Borel is close to two meters and a quintal, while the Japanese give more than 25 centimeters and 35 kilos … In the game of weaving the blade, the weight of the French is not able to extend its mass and its reach to the opponent who is so come, draw the distance, hide culture well and beat him on the counter. With diabolical precision, Kano led the French and easily won 15-9. Borel had already beaten two other Japanese entering the draw. The last one was too strong. After that of Auriane Mallo-Breton on Saturday, this is the second silver medal for France at these Games.

All Borel’s impressive record is missing is an individual Olympic medal. At the age of 35, he is not sure that he will have a chance to go for a gold. A smile on the podium of the man who shared his knowledge of the exercise with the filmmakers The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan, last year, said that this beauty is enough for your happiness: “It’s my first individual medal in my fourth Olympics, which speaks volumes”, he appeared behind the podium. He completed the CV as XXL as his measurements: European individual champion four times, world champion in 2018, world and Olympic team champion. A tribute to his two-decade international career (he won his first international team title in 2011). A month ago, he had to leave the European championships due to an injury. Cold medicine then ran down the backs of the French destroyers.

“I didn’t manage to get the upper hand, to turn the game in my favor, it analysis. He is the best. It’s always a small gesture that makes a difference for him. There are solutions, but in the end, chasing a score, always looking for another, is not easy. But I don’t regret my behavior.” Like all the athletes of these games, the fighters in particular who get their ears full in the Grand Palais, Yannick Borel, who has traveled from the Olympic Games to the World Championships all over the world having practice, he could not believe this audience that he wanted to thank. . “I took the opening ceremony until the end, when I saw the popular enthusiasm I said to myself: “I have to.”

“I enjoyed my first game”

The Guadeloupean is part of a trio of destroyers whose standoff with the federation has been the culmination of the riots that marked the Olympic preparation of French practice. They have left the national coach, Hugues Orry, and government officials who have left to coach their team. A game, he thought. “I’ve had less turbulent times where I’m not an Olympian.” This charm, he concluded, “It has the flavor of success, of victory, even if I lose the gold. It is my declared decision, I agree. “

Even the rebel, Romain Cannone, reigning Olympic champion, world champion in 2022, came out dishonorably in the round of 16. The least we can say is that the moon and the dejected villain did not show much by the loss of his title, without we have the ability to distinguish between incitement and truth, or nonsense. “I am very happy to participate in the Olympics, in a legendary place. I saw a competition at the Grand Palais when I was young, it made me dream. Part of my dream has come true. In fact, I enjoyed my first competition, I was able to express myself and I think not everyone is capable of doing that in the Olympics.

“I found my family”

But still, this premature exit against an opponent that is not well positioned, what do you think? “He had a good game, he didn’t give me any breathing space and he played well on his part. Fighting is a game of chess; you have to try to outsmart your opponent. I was surprised, and I understood immediately: it seems that the fool and your woman eat, it is a little difficult to control afterwards.” Since that blessed day in 2021, which saw him become Olympic champion while initially being an alternate, Cannone has never missed a world stage. Despite everything, you will keep good memories of this Sunday at the Grand Palais. “I am proud to participate, I see my family, the volunteer from my side, these are the little details that I take with me.” And these long months of open war with the Federation? You remove: “You have been tired for three years, I have given my all all these years.” Close the access.

As for the third Frenchman in question, Luigi Midelton, he was the victim in the conflict, since he loved Hugues Obry, who was killed by his rebels. This did not prevent him from winning the title of European champion last month. He arrived in Paris with a large badge as a hunter. He was out in the first round of his first Games.

Updated July 29 at midnight with comments from Yannick Borel