It is true that between competitions and training courses abroad, Toma has not been at home often in recent months. With Paris, Baku, Tashkent and Antalya, he had barely returned before he was already gone! Enough to disturb his little one, whom he cherishes more than anything in the world (and who will soon have a little sister…).
”When I tell her that I’m going to judo, she immediately changes the subject to show her displeasure. I understand her… But, when I’m there, we spend a lot of time together, ending up falling from fatigue, both of us.”
This balance, our double European champion (2018, 2021) needs it, especially in this intense period with the Euro but also the World Cup in mid-May, in Abu Dhabi and, of course, the Games, for which he is , to date, qualified. “Believe me, I'll be there… And, if I win a medal in Paris on August 1st, I'll stop on the 2nd!”says the man who recently won the reality TV show “Les Traitors”, on RTL-TVI, recorded last September.
Toma, you have become a television star!
”Um… A reality TV star then… In any case, I have been in demand a lot in recent days. In fact, I was contacted via social media by the show's production house. At first I thought it was a joke and deleted the post because there are often fake profiles. Then I was contacted again by phone. I thought about. I researched the show before giving the green light. I spoke about it with my coaches and they agreed because it was a fairly free period and the filming lasted a maximum of a week in the event of a final. I really liked it because I won. It always helps… I received a lot of reactions, in particular from relatives who told me that I was myself on TV, more than with judo, unfortunately. I say that because this week of filming will have been forgotten in six months while my results mark me for life. Being European champion is much rarer! Recently I met a guy who told me he was a sports fan and he didn't even know me. You can imagine how I took it. But it’s a reflection of the low media coverage of judo, even if it’s a little better.”
Here's why the winner of “Traitors” preferred not to celebrate his victory…
Let's come back to judo anyway. How is the Euro looking?
“Listen carefully ! I approach it without injury; In any case. There is always a sore but nothing serious. It was a long preparation during which I practiced a lot. I've been to Türkiye, Hungary and finished in Wilrijk, as usual. Before that, I had been in Japan with only Matthias Casse and our coach, Mark Van der Ham. He was the one who wanted it because it's a fairly “clean” judo with competition but without the risk of injury. We found ourselves with around a hundred judokas on the tatami. Most of them didn't know us… And we trained twice a day. A judo session and another activity such as running or weight training.”
“If I win a medal at the Paris Games, I’ll stop!”
No need to ask yourself what your goal is…
”That’s the big question. But this European meeting is a bit strange because, in a month, there is a World Cup. Between the two, a Grand Slam since I am registered next week, in Tajikistan. All this with the Games in three months! I think judo is the only Olympic sport with so many important events in such a short time. It is impossible to be in top form at the Euro, the World Cup, the Games and even in a Grand Slam. It is very difficult to manage, both physically and mentally. There are a lot of injured people everywhere. But the main objective is the Olympics, of course!”
Is this the reason for Matthias Casse's absence in Zagreb?
“But yes ! Already, Matthias, he has enough points for the Los Angeles Games… (laugh). And then, he's not 100%. There is no point in taking risks and, above all, in showing off because he is one of the most watched judokas in the world!”
Do you need points for Olympic qualification?
”Yes… It would be really dramatic not to be qualified. But I will be there! I will do everything possible not only to be there but also to win the only medal missing from my list of achievements. I repeat: if I win a medal at the Paris Games, I will end my career! With Karmen, we are expecting a second baby, another girl. And we will have to assume responsibility in all respects.”
