[ad_1]
N’DJAMENA, July 15 (Reuters) – Demos Memneloum’s dream was just to qualify for the Olympics in the sport she loves and she made it this year when the 26-year-old became the first athlete Chadian to qualify for judo thanks to the points gained on the tatami instead of an invitation.
But as the start of the Tokyo Olympics approaches, pressure is mounting on her as the only medal hope for the Central African nation which has gone through a tumultuous first half following an attack by rebels in the north and the battle. longtime President Idriss Deby’s death on the pitch.
“I feel the pressure from my family, my coach, my friends and especially the Chadians who place their hope in me,” Memneloum told Reuters.
After winning points in competitions including a bronze medal at the 2019 African Championships and the 2019 African Games, Memneloum reached 779 points in the International Judo Federation standings, placing 48th in the Under 70 category. kg.
“The media speak of me as the country’s hope for the Olympics. The supporters prevent me from practicing publicly with others at the stadium because everyone has a word of encouragement to say and greet me”, she declared.
Inside a classroom turned into a training room with worn rugs on the floor in the popular Ardepdjoumal district of the Chadian capital, Memneloum is the only woman to train among eight men.
“I’m afraid to disappoint everyone,” Memneloum said, adding that she understood the challenges that lay ahead.
The sophomore resource management student who was encouraged to join judo by her father at the age of seven said that despite the lack of resources for athletes in this heavily indebted country, she is proud to ” be the first athlete to qualify.
His trainer Ahmed Djerma Dassering said Memneloun’s self-confidence and discipline have helped him establish himself on the continental judo scene.
“When she started, Demos was the only girl in the judo club, but at a young age she wasn’t intimidated by boys,” Dassering said. “I felt in her someone who wanted to push the limits.”
Reporting by Mahamat Ramamdane Writing by Bate Felix Editing by Christian Radnedge
Our Standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Source link
