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In the Al Amal sports hall in Rabat, Gabon's Franck Mombay (57kg) advanced to the quarter-finals by beating Cameroon's Aristide Tchouta. The boxer who holds an Olympic scholarship and who trains in France dreams of participating in the next Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020.
From our special envoy to Morocco,
The boy seems to have an unwavering determination. Lucid, dripping with sweat, Franck Mombey raised his arms at the end of the third round, persuaded to beat his opponent of the day this Saturday, August 24, the Cameroonian Aristide Tchouta. He was right.
Franck Mombey breathes boxing, he fell in when he was little. " It's a tough sport, a bit like life. It allows you to surpass certain tests. I can say that I started boxing while baby. My parents did not really want me to practice it at a high level. One day, they saw me at the final of the Gabon Cup where I brought back the gold medal. So they told me, "If it's your choice, keep going." "Says the pugilist at the rate of speech as fast as his shots.
The help of an Olympic scholarship
To achieve his dream and participate in the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo, Franck Mombey holds an Olympic scholarship for the second time and stays in France.
" With this allocation, I was able to progress in France, it's a chance for me. I can travel and fight with this money . Franck Mombey also did internships at Insep where he worked with the national coach of the French team, Luis Mariano Gonzalez. " I owe a part of my success to France, " marvels the boxer in shorts and red jersey, which still sweats in big drops. In 2016 at the Rio Olympics, French boxing had its moment of glory with six medals, including two gold.
In 1992, on the occasion of the Barcelona Games, the idea of offering financial and technical assistance was born. A valuable device for athletes lacking resources. The Olympic Solidarity mechanism is managed and financed by the International Olympic Committee. The Regional Youth and Sports Center Petit-Couronne near Rouen is currently hosting eight athletes for the 2020 Olympics.
To re-read ► African games: boxing, popular sport par excellence
Boxing, a drug
Franck Mombey is actively preparing the qualifications for the Tokyo Olympics. The tournament for the Africa zone will take place at the beginning of 2020 in Dakar. Twenty-two places will be awarded for men and eleven for women, all categories combined.
For seven years, Franck Mombey has lived far from his family to satisfy his dream and enter the history of Olympic boxing. " I go to the country once a year to see my family. It's a sacrifice, but it's worth it. Boxing is a big family and I am well surrounded in France . This Cuban boxing fan adds, " This sport is like a drug. As long as I have the desire and the form, I will continue . "
Gabon has not won a major title since Yann Binanga at the African amateur championships in 2010. " Gabon has a technical boxing and is one of the best African nations. Too bad the Gabonese boxers can not compete more , "says Franck Mombey, a fan of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. His coach is confident that he has all the panoply and selflessness to succeed.
An Algerian in the next round
The next opponent of Franck Mombey in the quarterfinals will be Algerian Oussama Mordjane. " As long as you're physically ready, you do not think anymore, you take what comes, " says the one who speaks bluntly and is passionate about basketball and horse racing.
In 2015, during the last African Games in Brazzaville, Algerian boxing shone with five gold medals. Gabon came home with a bronze medal and Franck Mombey was eliminated in the first fight. Suffice to say that this time, he is eagerly awaited by his compatriots.
To re-read ► With 3-on-3 basketball, guaranteed thrills at the African Games