She illuminated the last European Championships in Novi Sad (May 10th-13th) with her wide smile and her two gold medals, in -68 kg and in team’s. Switzerland’s Elena Quirici, N°4 in the ranking, is engaged in the Istanbul Premier League (June 8th-10th) after... 5 weeks in the army where she was doing her basic training ! Let’s meet with a young Karateka who gives herself the means of her ambitions.

By Ludovic Mauchien / Photos : K-Photos

Elena Quirici is always someone very friendly and very available, but less in recent weeks... She « was doing her military ». Five weeks of basic training to join the Swiss army as a high-level athlete, training that she started in the wake of her two European titles won in Novi Sad (May 10th-13rd). And to think that in February, she had her foot operated, that she wore a harness until mid-April and that she was not 100% of her physical possibilities at the European championships ! She even almost gave up.

But the young Swiss girl decided to have fun. And she did ! The outcome ? A second title of European champion in -68 kg, after the one of 2016 and two second places in 2014 and 2015. She also managed a rare performance (but also made by Turkey’s Burak Uygur this year), that of also winning in team, with Noemie Kornfeld, Ramona Brüderlin and Nina Radjenovic. A great premiere in the history of Switzerland.

« She has the ability to question herself »

« Elena is one of the greatest professionals I know in Karate today », said Franco Pisino, the national coach since 2001. « She's a girl who does not let anything go by. She lives Karate all year long. She is very serious in the planning of her preparation and in her training. It’s very easy to work with her. She has the ability to question herself. She is even asking for it. She tells me that we have to get the critics right so that we can work on it.

At 24 years old (she was born on February 16th, 1994), she keeps gaining in power and is one of the main favorites for the direct qualification for Tokyo (the ranking’s top 3 or 4). But Tokyo goes through Madrid and its World championships hold from November 7th to 11th. 3rd in 2012 (-61 kg), at only 18 years old, she appears today stronger than ever...

What makes you stir in Karate ?

It's intensive and you can do a lot of things. It's not just running, running, running, running. It's not that at all ! You have to feel your opponent, to look for the right tactics, the right timing, etc. I started at the age of 4. My mother was a teacher at Karate do Brugg, which is still my club. I always went with her to the Dojo and one day I wanted to try.

You have built a team around you. Tell us your organization...

Yes, I have my little team. First, there is my mom, who is always there and who ensures that I do not miss anything. She is the president of the club. There is also David Baumann, who is my coach since I started Karate at 4, although now Franco (Pisino) coaches me in the international competitions. I also have a physical trainer, the same for years, as well as a mental trainer. It's really important ! I think I won thanks to my mind.

« Feel your opponent, to look for the right tactics, the right timing… »

What is your training schedule ?

I train twice a day. Sunday is always free, if there is no competition. In the morning, I do 1h30 to 2h of physical preparation and, in the evening, I train 1h30 in Kumite. Since Karate became Olympic, there has been also some changes in the national team training conditions. Now, we have an Olympic pool. We meet every week, Wednesday and Thursday, to train together.

With your partners, you have won the first team title in the history of Switzerland. What does it represent for you ?

It was crazy all weekend ! With my individual title and, then, with the team’s one ! Switzerland had been waiting for this title for a very long time. The girls before us have always made bronze (2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013). We knew we were strong and we could win or, at least, make the final. Once in the final, it was really fun. We won and it was perfect. It's good to make history for Switzerland (she smiles).

In individual, you had already won in 2016. Is the feeling, the flavor of this 2nd title different ?

Yes, because the first time, you tell yourself that everyone can do it. To win once, it is perhaps because you were a little lucky. The second time, the fact that you can do it again, you know it’s not luck. It's because you work and it pays. In addition, this year, there was a lot of suffering, a lot of crying before, with my foot operation. I could do Karate almost normally just three weeks before the European championships. But that was enough (she smiles). After the suffering, it was only pleasure, that of having achieved something great. I was in my flow. I told myself that I had nothing to lose. I just wanted to have fun. And it worked.

« My mind is in Berlin, not in Istanbul »

What will be your schedule for the coming months ?

I am going to Istanbul because we have already taken the plane tickets but, for me, it really starts in September in Berlin (September14th-16th). My mind is in Berlin, not in Istanbul. Then, of course, my goal is the World championships. Even if I won the Europeans, I do not consider myself as the favorite. I do not care about that ! It will be another competition and many girls can win. I have to train well and prepare well. We will see how that goes.

Who is your most dangerous opponent ? Yourself ?

Yes, myself (she laughs). My mind is really tough sometimes ! It's always a new fight. I can win a girl 5-0 and, the following time, I can lose. I must take all fight as if it was the first one. I have to fight and, then, think of the next one, and so on.

Do you practice Kata ?

No (she laughs). I practiced until 19 years old. I even did the Swiss Kata championships but, now, I have no time to do so. Nevertheless, my coach has always said kata is important for the technical base. But I never really had fun doing Katas. I like to fight !

Besides Karate, what do you like to do ?

I like being with my friends, going to the cinema. I like to do BBQs in the summer time... I love being with my family and friends because, in the season, I do not have much free time to spend with them. I also like practicing squash.

What advice would you give to a child who dreams of becoming a champion ?

Never give up ! You must never give up and dream, dream, dream ! Think that work always pays and, also, you must get fun.