How do they live their first Olympic days ? How do they feel ?... Until August 5, start of the Karate tournament, we will give you news of the champions who compete in the Games. That’s the WhatsApp interview. Today, Algerian Lamya Matoub (+61 kg).
By Ludovic Mauchien / Photo : DR
Your first impressions ?
It’s just awesome ! What impresses me the most, I think, is the self-service, the restaurant, which is incredible with all the specialties of the world. Enough to make a big picnic if you feel like it, or to stay on a diet if you are still racing. Awesome !
My meetings ? This morning, I ran into the French Judo team going to their competition. On the Karate side, I just saw Zaretska and Aghayev.
Your day ? (Saturday 31st)
I had one training this morning. Yesterday, it was strength training. I will train again tomorrow. The day after tomorrow, I do cardio in the morning and workout at the same time of my competition. Then, I will have a rest day with stretching… Then, a weight training day, a karate training day, a rest one and, the next day, it’s… war (she laughs).
Karate ?
It’s very, very present. I go out very, very little, except to walk, to discover the Olympic village a bit. I am really very, very focused on my goal. We must not forget that the Karate Olympics is once in our life.
When I hear some athletes at the restaurant say that they have no ambition in Tokyo and that their goal is to win in 3 years… They play Olympic sports and will be qualified in 3 years, and again. When I hear that, it hurts me because we won’t go through this.
When I say we, I mean all Karatekas, especially young people. It hurts me for them. We have one chance, even if our medals are made of chocolate (she laughs). It hurts my heart. I have a big thought for all the karatekas in the world who aren’t lucky enough to be here. I want to live the event to the fullest. And to live it fully, I have to win (she laughs). To participate is not enough for me. I want a medal and the most beautiful one if possible.
It’s on sale !
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