World champion and European champion, we no longer have to present Christophe Pinna. Spectacular karateka in an era when the fights were less stereotypical, the Frenchman looks back on his last fight for this new "My Best Fight". This game occurred In Munich (Germany) and it was against the Italian Davide Benetello. More than a simple fight, it is the culmination of a career and a story of a man that unfolded that day. He became World champion !
By Florian Fournier / Photos : D.R
As the saying goes, we always keep the best for the end and it is once again confirmed with Christophe Pinna. In this new chapter of “my best fight”, the Frenchman tells us about his final of the World championships in Open category which took place in Munich in 2000 against Davide Benetello.
“I remember this fight like it was yesterday. On October 14, 2000, in Munich, in a huge stadium where there were thousands of spectators, I won 5-0 against Davide Benetello and I became World champion (Open) at 33. It’s a souvenir that remains etched in my memory not only by the importance of the title but most of all by my sensations that day. I was in this state of the athlete who feels unstoppable, who sees everything in slow motion, who sees the blows coming 1 second before…
I felt so good in this fight which, moreover, was my last, that at 5-0, I decided to enjoy my last moments on the tatami rather than trying to score the 6th point which would have ended the fight. Feeling unstoppable, I wanted to go to the end.
What makes this fight so great for me also comes from my story and my journey. I have been chasing this World champion title for years. To become World champion at my last competition was a childhood dream coming true. I wanted to win in the Open category because, for me, it is the ultimate title. To make the parallel with 1994, where I ended 3rd, in the semi-final against Idrizi, a few seconds from the end, I lowered my arms to taunt him and I took a leg in the head which made me lose. So, against Davide, even at 5-0, I said to myself : "stay cool, enjoy your fight, he can't come back if you stay serious".
But you also have to understand that this fight is a story of men between Claude Pettinella and me. When Claude was coach of the French team, we made the bet, after my injury in 98-99 where I stayed 8 months on crutches, where I suffered the hoots of Coubertin at the French Open for my comeback, to succeed in this bet of becoming World champion for my last outing with the French team.
At the time there were no social networks and karate interviews were rare. The public didn't know about my injury and those hoots had heart me. Claude arrived in the locker room, we talked and this is where our complicity which took us to Munich is born. We trained every day together. It was tough, it was strong, and we share this medal together. Besides, Claude's tears when I win testify to the intensity of our preparation. He transformed a sports adventure into a human adventure. And it is perhaps this human side that made the difference compared to other fights.
Emotionally, it is quite a paradox because I did not explode from joy. I took Davide Benetello in my arms, I kissed him to comfort him. He raised my arm to the sky to congratulate me. 20 years later, I still wonder how it was possible that no emotion came out even though, deep inside me, I was the happiest men.
To fight Davide, I had no strategy. I was facing an exceptional fighter. He often changed guard, which made it difficult to implement a strategy. His technical range allowed him to adapt to all situations and prevent his opponent from applying a tactical plan.
However, that day, my work was successful and I scored my points first with Tsuki and I stayed offensive and spectacular with leg techniques as I knew how to win. It’s also a fight that marked the public. Recently, during a live on Instagram that I made during the lockdown to give lessons, people remind me this fight. I am proud to hear and see that my fight has made such an impression”.
