No more procrastination, she went on the offensive and, although she has not yet won a medal on the international scene, she proved that she could compete with the best in her category, notably in Baku, where she finished at the foot of the podium. But what happened? At the end of 2023, Lois was put against the wall by her employer, the Army, of which she is a high-level athlete, who gave her six months to prove her worth.
“I realized that I could lose judo, which I hold dear! After good training in Japan and Austria, I got on the tatami with the firm intention of showing what I was capable of. And it was the click. At the end of January, in Portugal, I fought five fights which earned me a seventh place in the final. In itself, this result was not great, but the way mattered much more to me. just not recognized!”
Confirmation in mid-February, in Kazakhstan, also with five fights, this time for a fifth place, synonymous with selection for the Euro and, undoubtedly, for the World Cup…
Lois, we imagine you boosted before this Euro…
“I feel good, in fact, especially mentally. I got rid of my weight problem. I was too light and I endured the fights. I now weigh 47 kilos. It's not yet perfect, but it's Psychologically, I feel better. In fact, the trigger came from the moment I was faced with my responsibilities. I had criteria to meet in order to maintain my status. since I had never reached a top 5 in a Grand Slam or a top 3 in a Grand Prix. So, yes, I found myself with my back against the wall. But now I am reassured And so much the better because I hate having. the pressure as it was, even if I performed well.”
How do you manage the pressure linked to this Euro?
“I take this competition like a Grand Slam. I am not the favorite and, therefore, I have nothing to lose. Or rather I have everything to gain!”
With the Euro, two Grand Slams and the World Cup, can't your career take on another dimension in one month?
“Maybe… I am registered in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. As for the World Cup, it is not yet official. My participation will depend on my results and also on the manner. But it is obvious that these deadlines, very close together, could turn my career upside down. Let's first see how it goes this week in Zagreb.”
“I woke up a little late for the Paris Games, but it's not impossible…”
Are the Paris Games still in the back of your mind?
“As I woke up a little late, that is to say this year, I am only 44th in the Olympic ranking. Everything will depend on the month to come. It's complicated, but it's not impossible. With a or two medals, or even a fifth place, I could get closer to the top 20. But I also depend on others. I have too few points in the first year of qualification. woke up a little late.”
Where do you stand compared to your opponents? Are there any that you think are still too strong?
“There are opponents, styles of judo, that I don't like. Left-handed people, in general… These are judokas that I have to work on. But I prefer to take a girl stronger than me rather than one whose judo does not suit me. That said, everyone must work on all profiles.”
How do you approach the draw?
“I never look at the draw. It's only the morning of the competition that I ask Cédric Taymans who my first opponent is. Sometimes we play a little game and I have to guess. Before, I often took Asians! But, for the moment, at the Euro, there won't be any… In fact, I don't want to see my table to keep all my concentration on the present moment, without thinking about the one that I could meet later, Anticipating is the best way for me to fail!”
Toma Nikiforov: “More reactions with reality TV than with judo, unfortunately…”
