Tunisian Raoua Tlili, African reference to the Paralympics
Tunisian Raoua Tlili during the Tokyo 2021 Paralympic Games. REUTERS - ATHIT PERAWONGMETHA
Text by: Matthias Raynal
3 min
She is the most successful sportswoman in the history of Tunisia at the Games.
Paralympic champion Raoua Tlili won two gold medals in Tokyo in the shot put and the discus throw.
She has dominated these disciplines for over a decade.
Matthias Raynal met her in Tunis, at her home.
At the height of her career, the Tunisian takes a frank, uncompromising look at the path she has taken to get there.
Meet.
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When she crosses the courtyard of her residence, Raoua Tlili attracts attention.
The children who play football watch her pass with wide eyes… A neighbor congratulates the champion who has just broken two world records…
“
It is my Moroccan opponent
[Youssra Karim, Editor's note]
who created this emulation
, explains Raoua Tlili.
There was fair competition, which is what brought out things that I didn't expect.
It is true that she is still young, that she has great potential, but at a certain point it is the experience that takes precedence, when the athlete manages to manage his stress, to control his nerves
”.
"The media do not shed enough light on us"
This is what made the difference.
Very in demand since she returned from Tokyo a few days ago, Raoua Tlili knows that this period will not last.
“
The media do not shed enough light on us
,” she laments.
In fact, they are interested in us at the time of the Games and then it's over.
Moral support is very important, these things affected me a lot before, but I wanted to show who I was
”.
We feel in her a lot of pride, ego.
“
People must know that we have golden champions, and Raoua is a diamond, because I have surpassed myself
, she says.
Aiming for world records is very difficult, that is to say that you have reached a stage where you are in competition with yourself
”.
And it does not go unnoticed ... With its blonde color matching her 6 Paralympic champion medals.
“
Before the Olympics, I always wear this color, it's my lucky charm, it's my trademark
,” she laughs.
A lot of people know that I dye my hair the color of my medal
”.
In the kitchen, a sweet smell escapes from the oven.
A Tunisian tagine is cooking.
Raoua Tlili normally follows a very strict diet.
But… "
Here we are on a break, I can allow myself the traditional dishes
," she savored.
Couscous, mutton, because I don't eat it often
”.
It is now targeting Paris 2024
Tunisia shone this year at the Paralympic Games, finishing the competition in first place among African nations. In Raoua Tlili's apartment, we meet his roommate. Fathia Amaïmia is a childhood friend. She finished at the foot of the podium, 4th in the discus throw. “
Raoua is the disruptive element in training
,” she laughs.
We are competitors, but also friends. When I make a mistake, she corrects me, that's our example
”.
In thirteen years, Raoua Tlili has amassed 12 gold medals, 6 at the Paralympic Games, 6 in the world championships.
His career could therefore inspire other Tunisian athletes.
"
A new generation must emerge
," says the person concerned.
For the moment, the medals are won by the old ones
”.
But at the height of her 31 years, she is not yet quite ready to hand over the baton.
Raoua Tlili now has one goal: 2024, the Paris Olympics where she will have to defend her titles.
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Paralympic Games 2021
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