Severine Vandenhende coaches new generation

At the Paris Grand Slam, France’s 11 Olympic judo champions were presented to the public during a very touching ceremony. In the upcoming months, they will all participate in several educational activities to promote the values of judo throughout France. Séverine Vandenhende, Sydney 2000 Olympic champion, is present in Abu Dhabi, as a coach, during the Junior World Championships.

IJF: What did you feel when you stepped onto the tatami last weekend in Paris?

Séverine Vandenhende (SV): That it was incredible to be there. I think it was the first time that such a ceremony was organised and maybe the last time. Having the 11 French Olympic champions together was fantastic and I feel honoured to be among them. Bercy is a magical place for all judoka. There is no other competition like the Paris tournament. The public is incredible, warm, heartfelt, unique, a little patriotic but that’s logical.

IJF: What image or moment do you remember the most from your Olympic title?

SV: Actually I don’t really remember any specific moment from my competition day. Everything goes so fast. It’s like a whirlpool. But I remember very well when I came back to the residence where the team was staying. It was after the doping control and all the media obligations. I sat in the backyard. Everything was super quiet. That’s where I started to read all my messages and that’s when I started to realise that I did something great.

IJF: Based on your experience, what message did you deliver to your athletes today?

SV: I tell them that they must be patient. A career is long. Mine was dotted with injuries. One year prior to the Games I was laying on the surgery table. But what is important is to always believe in your dreams and build on experience. I explain to my athletes that they must come off the tatami feeling proud of what they did. Sometimes they will lose but they must have the feeling that they gave everything and they must have no regrets. During a World Championships like this one, I tell them that they must be proud of wearing the national judogi.

IJF: Tell us about the life of an Olympic champion after their competitive career?

SV: When I put an end to my career, I wanted to become a sports teacher. But then I realised that young people in high school were not that motivated to do sport and I really wanted to transmit something. So I passed my exams to become a judo teacher and a national coach. Today I take care of the juniors here in Abu Dhabi and I have really the feeling that my experience can be useful.

IJF: What are your impressions of these Junior World Championships?

SV: The level is very high and is increasing. It’s interesting to see that athletes who are already competing in the senior category have some difficulties. I am impressed also by Kosovo. With Majlinda KELMENDI, they already showed to the world that there is not any more small judo nations. Now they have also a Junior World champion. Last week, Distria KRASNIQI did not compete for the bronze medal in Paris because she felt a little pain in her shoulder. It was a good choice as now she is the new Junior World champion. Of course Japan is still the best nation, but Europe is pushing and our athletes are not any more afraid to fight against the Japanese. I was also very impressed by the Dutch athlete, Frank DE WIT, who won the bronze in Paris last weekend and is now Junior World champion. Many competitors are fighting in both age categories, so the difference of level between senior and junior is getting smaller. We have seen really good judo so far and I am really pleased to see that judo is entertaining and that the public can enjoy watching it. It is important for our sport.