The French mixed judo team won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday in an event usually dominated by the Japanese, achieving a real feat.

"I have no doubt that we will severely increase our number of members thanks to these results," said Yoann Catherin, the president of a judo club in the Paris region, on Saturday on Europe 1.

INTERVIEW

It is a feat that the French judokas achieved this Saturday at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, on the Japanese lands of judo.

The mixed French team won gold in an event so far completely dominated by the Japanese.

And in French judo clubs, we are already feeling the impact of this victory.

"I have no doubt that we will severely increase our number of members thanks to these results," confirms Yoann Catherin, the president of a judo club in Boulogne-Billancourt, in the Paris region, on Saturday on Europe 1.

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"Many young people want to identify with these champions"

It is in this club that Sarah-Léonie Cysique, who was part of the mixed France team with notably Teddy Riner and Clarisse Agbegnenou, has been training since she was 16. "From experience, it's extremely good for the section", underlines Yoann Catherin. "Sport is a dream and it makes you want to. A lot of young people want to identify with these champions." And this request is already very concrete for his club since the silver medal already won by Sarah-Léonie Cysique last Monday in the category of less than 57 kilos.

"Since Sarah took her silver medal, we have had a lot of requests on the site and in our contact mailbox. It's immediate," says Yoann Catherin.

"Normally, in August, we have very few requests and it starts again after September. There, we have a lot of information on requests for new registrations. It is very positive. We are very proud and very happy with the situation. "

Less than 30% of members because of the Covid

For the club leader, it is also, perhaps, thanks to the support given to his protégé since the start of the Olympics.

"A whole club is behind her. We get up every day at 4 am, we exchange, we have created WhatsApp groups so that she feels this positive energy behind her and that it pushes her to seek the best of medals, "he says.

"We are in front of our screens every day and we thrilled a lot during these Olympic Games."

These results could well be lifesaving for judo, according to Yoann Catherin.

"I will not hide from you that with the Covid, we still suffered. Being an indoor sport, we have lost 30% of members so we are counting a lot on that too to boost the section and our members, ”he concludes.