Tokyo 2021: DR Congo judokate Marie Branser eliminated and bored
The Congolese judoka Marie Branser (in white) against the Russian Aleksandra Babintseva, at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, July 29, 2021. REUTERS - SERGIO PEREZ
Text by: Eric Mamruth
4 min
Marie Branser was eliminated by Russian Alexandra Babintseva in the round of 16 of the judo tournament at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games on July 29, in the under 78 kg category.
The Congolese, tired of the lack of support from the DRC sports authorities, is thinking of taking a break from her judokate career.
Maintenance.
Publicity
Read more
RFI: Marie Branser, you faced a difficult opponent and the fight was close with Alexandra Babintseva. What made the difference?
Marie Branser
: It was above all a question of strength.
She is very strong physically.
She was positioned as a left-hander.
I couldn't find solutions, especially since she always remained at a distance.
I still had a problem with my hand.
I put my hand down and she immediately blocked it.
It thwarted my efforts.
We had a plan, prepared, at the level of kumikata [kimono seizure techniques, Editor's note].
But she did her thing.
And, in the end, it was she who placed the second wazari.
She was the best today.
I am sad and disappointed today but I cannot change the result.
I'm going to take a break now and think about all the things that have happened, all the issues I've had to face, all the money I've spent in judo.
Because it was I who put the money for all the fights in which I participated.
I cried all the time because I just wanted to be able to work seriously.
But when there are people who are not serious, it does not happen like that ...
Fortunately, people in the DRC have always supported me.
I also want to greet and thank them.
Their support makes me proud.
But we have to change habits.
If the people who lead want results, we have to work together.
[…]
Concretely, what has happened to you since you defended the colors of the DRC?
(Silence)
Is it normal that a double African champion pays the costs related to all her competitions?
Is it normal that the President of the Federation has blocked my participation in the African Championships?
[…]
There are people who have done bad things.
I did not receive a euro and I gave all my money.
At the end of 2020, these expenses amounted to 13,000 to 14,000 euros.
Since then, there have been other competitions, and we are perhaps at 16, 17 or 18,000 euros.
While I touch 450 euros per month ... At the same time, I train very seriously, two or three times a day.
My family and friends have been very supportive of me.
I also thank my sponsors in Kinshasa.
But it also takes work on the part of our Judo Federation and the Olympic Committee.
Because otherwise, I won't be able to continue.
I have no more money and no more energy to handle it all.
Are you going to continue to represent the DRC?
(Hesitates)
It was my first Olympics.
It is a great honor for me to be here.
I worked hard to be in Tokyo.
I am disappointed not to have brought home a medal, for my family, my friends and me, but also for the DRC.
But these are the first Olympics.
It is not finished.
I'll take my time and think.
But it's not that I don't want to win a medal at the 2024 Games. I have three years to work and improve.
Newsletter
Receive all international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Olympic Games
2020 Olympics
Judo
DRC
Sports