He was predicted the greatest future. But he couldn’t wait, he didn’t want to. He rather lives the present. Senior World champion at 21, MVP of the competition and most beautiful final of the tournament ! France’s Steven Da Costa (-67 kg) is the king of Madrid (November 6-11). A Worlds gold that owes nothing to chance, but all in talent and training.
The Frenchman has questioned his Karate for the past two years, to better improve, to live what he is done for : winning ! How did Steven Da Costa become World champion ?...
By Ludovic Mauchien / Photos : Kphotos
« I missed me in Linz two years ago. I did not want it to happen a second time ». « To miss one », in Steven Da Costa’s mind, means to rank 3rd of its 1st World championships at 19 years old. For him, Karate has always been a game. His pleasure : hit Ura Mawashi and Mawashi in all ways. And, at this game, he has long been a winner.
4 European champion titles, 1 World champion title and 3 years being unbeaten (2012-2015) mark his youth categories appearances. Only Burak Uygur of Turkey, the running two-time Senior European champion, stands in his way. He is the one who had put an end to his unbeaten run, at his 1st Senior Europeans in 2015, in Turkey (2nd round : flags). He will finish 5th. This is his first big disappointment but not yet the time for questioning.
In 2016, he is always happy with his champagne Karate and wins his 1st Senior European championship in Montpellier. The promised ascent continues. When he arrives in Linz for the Worlds, he is the target of all attention. Himself, he has only one idea in mind : to be World champion. But Hungary’s Tadissi barred him the road to gold in the quarter-finals (4-2). He will then brilliantly go and get the bronze medal against... Burak Uygur (4-1). For the first time, at 19, many would have been happy. But for Steven Da Costa, a bronze is not enough to cheer him up.
« I'm bitter, it's only a 3rd place », he told us in the wake of his podium. « For my 1st World championships, it's a good result but I can not accept it. I am very frustrated because I beat the two finalists (Thomas and Tadissi) at the last European championships. We'll see next time if I have learnt ».
LINZ 2016 : « WE WILL SEE NEXT TIME IF I HAVE LEARNT »
We saw it in Madrid ! What did he learn from these Austrian Worlds ? That his champagne Karate, his sweeps and Ura Mawashi’s, were not a sufficient guarantee to win regularly in Senior, that it was necessary to diversify the angles of attack and multiply the technical and tactical options. In short, it was now necessary to continue the sessions of Uraken and Kizami with Olivier Beaudry !!!
If he loves to play, Steven Da Costa only has fun in victory. Of a jovial and sympathetic nature, in case of defeat, he is in a grummy mood. He is angry, against himself, against the whole earth. He sulks. He even boils, inside. « I'm very proud », he admits. But he is also a great worker and learns quickly. It's a challenge to modify your Karate ! His first tests are not transformed. He loses a bit his marks, suffered two defeats in the first round at the 2017 and 2018 European championships. Although he won Rotterdam and Salzburg in 2017, then Paris in January 2018, it’s not enough. Time must be allowed for time.
The World championships in Madrid are coming up. Steven Da Costa comes out of the woods. At the K1 Berlin last September, he lost to Italy's Maresca but then went on to win a bronze medal against defending World champion Jordan Thomas of England. Leaded 4-1, Steven scores an... Ura Mawashi which he has the secret to win 5-4. « I do not work it in training. It comes instinctively », he smiled right after. « I feel like I'm ready... ». We were the 15th of September.
At the Wizink Center in Madrid, it seems that nothing can happen to him. He masters his subject perfectly. He varies his moves, favoring the punches techniques, wins 2-0, 1-0...
Only Spain’s Cuerva in the round of 16 scores him points (3-2). The quarterfinal is symbolic. He has to face his compatriot William Rolle, engaged with Cameroon. In 2014, when the latter became World champion (after 3 other podiums !), Steven Da Costa was his sparring. They know each other perfectly. Steven wins 1-0. Then he defeated Iran’s Derafshipour (2-0). He is in the final ! His work has paid off.
« MY KARATE IS NOT DIFFERENT, IT’S MORE VARIED »
We want some more finals like the one that opposed Vinicius Figueira to Steven Da Costa, which shine by their rarity, their intensity and the Karate proposed. The Brazilian, 2018 Panamerican champion, shots first : Mawashi (3-0). The answer is scathing : sweep, as in the good old days (3-3). Figueira replies : Mawashi Chudan (5-3). Then... goods habits die hard, instinct quickly resurfaced, the talent has made the difference : Ura Mawashi geri (6-5). Hip, hip, Ura ! World champion !
« My Karate is not different. It is more varied. It is more serious, less champagne. Initially, it was a challenge. It has become a habit and a personal satisfaction. I can prove myself that I can do something other than sweeps and legs. From now on, I do all techniques, everything that scores in fact. The important thing is to win. It does not matter where and when, you have to win », he told us in Madrid.
With manner, it's even better ! This has already earned him the title of best fighter (MVP) of these World championships, awarded by fans. « It's crazy ! And, moreover, it's thanks to the public’s vote », he gets excited. « Since my title, it does not stop. My phone is dying ! ».
He is not going to stop in such a good way either. On Sunday, a week after his World title, he will line up at the National French Cup with his club of Mont-Saint-Martin, with his father as coach, his two brothers and Mehdi Filali as partners. To have fun or to win ? « It’s by having fun that we win », he laughs. Especially with the family, which he is very close to.
STEVEN DA COSTA
Born January 23, 1997 in Mont-Saint-Martin (France)
Age : 21
Club : USL Mont-Saint-Martin
Coaches : Michel Da Costa and Olivier Beaudry
Height : 1,72 m
Category : -67 kg
Record
2018 World champion
2016 European champion
3rd of the 2016 World championships
U21 : 2017 European champion, 2nd of the 2015 World championships
U18 : 2013 World champion, 2013 and 2014 European champion
U16 : 2012 European champion, 3rd at the 2011 World championships
