We are in 2002, at the World championships in Madrid. France is the 4-times reigning World champion and also the running European champion after dominating Spain in the final a few months before. In front of a shouting crowd, the two nations meet in quarter-finals. For the 1st fight, Ivan Leal Reglero faces his idol and friend, Alex Biamonti. The 2-times World champion (2000 and 2002 in -75 kg) tells us about it…
By Ludovic Mauchien / Photo: DR
« I chose my fight against Alex (Biamonti) in this France-Spain of 2002 not because it is my best fight technically but because it is the most exciting and the most touching for my heart. Why ? For three reasons. France has dominated worldwide Karate for many years (world champion from 1994 to 2000). It was the Dream team. Then, these Worlds took place in Madrid and all the public shouted « España ! España ! ».
In addition, the same year, we lost in the final of the European championships against France in the last second of match 5. There was a sense of revenge. Finally, I fight and I beat « the n°1 », my big idol and super, super, super champion, my friend Alex Biamonti. He was a very intelligent fighter, very comfortable with leg techniques. I have a lot of respect for him.
When I see that I am going to face him, I say to myself « oh, la, la, mama mia ! The best of the whole team ». Everyone though I was going to win because everyone was Spanish, but I knew the fight was going to be very tough.
I started the fight with a lot of respect for Alex. I think he was in the same state of mind. None of us attacked. Then I made a little one. He countered me (gyaku, 0-1). I put a lot of pressure. I attacked, I attacked. I scored once and then twice with fist techniques (2-1).
The most important moment of the fight is when I did a Tsuki technique and then, with my left leg - always my left leg - I did Mawashi jodan with a big Kiai to create confusion in the heads of the referees. The reality is that I don't think my Mawashi touched Alex’s head. But the main referee gave me 3 points (5-1). Alex then rushed over to me. I countered him to score the last point.
I won 6-1 but, for most of the fight, I was afraid, I was on my guard because it was Alex in front. Even at 5-1, I knew it was still very difficult to win. In the end, my emotions are great. I was so happy to beat my idol and a great champion. And, above all, we beat France 3-2 and then we became World champions with Oscar Vasquez, David Santana, Pat Martinez... It was a lot, a lot of emotions ».
The fight : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d0u0gFHPoQ
