Medalist for the first time on a K1 at the Dubai Open (3rd), France’s Farouk Abdesselem (-84 kg) has been performing well for several months. 2nd at the Santiago Series A (Chile) last September, 5th in Shanghai in December, ¼ finalist at the Paris Open in January, the 27 years old Frenchman seems to have reached a higher stage in his karate and targets new goals. A victory at the Salzburg Series A (March 1-3) is one og them.
By Florian Fournier
Photo : Kphotos
Son of Ben Abdesselem, Sensei of CADKD Arles in Southern France, brother of Tarek Abdesselem, head coach of Kazakhstan, and of Raybak Abdesselem, 2019 Junior European champion, Farouk Abdesselem (-84 kg) is a meticulous and conscientious karateka who leaves nothing randomly.
He started karate at the age of 5 in the footsteps of his dad and his big brother. Multiplying trips to Kazakhstan to perfect his preparation with his brother who knows him better than anyone, Farouk continues to train in the Southern France.
Full-time athlete, his presence on the list of training partners of the French team allows him to go to the national training center to fight with the best French karatekas.
Tell us about your first K1 medal in Dubai (February 15-17) ?
It was not a leitmotif at the beginning of the season but, with my performance at the Paris Open (¼ finals), it gave me some appetite and confidence to have ambitions in Dubai.
My karate was in place, I got this first medal in K1 and I am very happy. Today, I will work serenely and with confidence for the future. I feel that I have reached a higher stage in my karate and in mental and psychological aspects.
What is the reason for this evolution ?
There is no triggering element. It's more of a process that has been in place for years, maturing and bearing fruit. To perform in K1, you need will and a lot of work. A K1 is more complicated than an European or a World championship, because of the athletes’ density.
How do you as an free karateka to participate in all these competitions ?
There is a huge investment from my club, the CADKD Arles. Thanks to the presence in the French team of Nancy Garcia, my brother Rayback and Assia Oukhattou in youth categories, the club is supported by the city and this allows us, athletes, to move around to represent the city and the club. When I travel in competition or in preparation, my trips are 70% paid by the club and this support is very important.
26th in the WKF ranking, 41st in the Olympic ranking (before Dubai), how do you see this race at the Olympic Games ? Do you believe in your qualification ?
Today, all athletes believe in their qualification, especially in my category, where it is open. If we base ourselves on an Olympic qualification around 10,000 - 11,000 points, the current N°1, Turkey’s Aktas has about 3,000 points. Even if he is a little ahead of others, that does not means so much.
The points will count 100% from Rabat (April 19-21). It is therefore in April that we will begin to see things more clearly. For my part, I do not feel so far behind than any other fighters and I know the race will be very long.
Do you think of a selection with the national team ?
I can not confirm this for the moment. For my part, I do everything to be selected. Today, the French team staff have changed the selection method and this shows that no more Karateka is safe and everyone has to prove themselves.
This mode of selection, practiced by Japan or Turkey, benefits to all the national team. It creates a dynamic. In the meantime, if I am selected, I will be proud to represent France and I will give the best of myself on the mats.
What did you feel after your little brother's European title ?
Oh ! It's awesome ! This European title, it motivates me and it shows me that everything is possible. I am even more proud of him because our two grandmothers passed away last December. It was a very difficult moment for us. Added to that, he had a meniscus injury in November. Seeing him be European champion is an example of fighting spririt and success.
