Text: Olivier Remy - Sen No Sen // Photos : Amandine Lauriol

This Friday will not have smiled at the four French engaged. After the defeats in the first round of Solene Avoulette (+67kg) and Uggo Barruol (+80kg), Emma Hammadache (+67kg) and Amine Boukarnia (-58kg) saw their journey stop in eighths. The first was beaten quite clearly by British star Lauren Williams – now in this category of +67kg after her three European titles, her World and Olympic medals – in two rounds (4-6, 2-14). The youth struggle (20 years just for the French) against the experience (27 years for Williams who won the gold in the end), to continue to learn, even if the final score was severe.

The scenario was different for Amine Boukarnia, who took the first round unanimously of judges after the number of hits was equal. Aggressive, carried by the public who chanted his name, he left a few points on slides and found limits in the distance against the immense Nigerian Issaka, who escaped on the second round, before a third one-way that he finally concluded on the gap point, the young Frenchman having no choice but to attack and open his game.

The balance sheet? It is Patrick Rosso, the national technical director, who sets the one for this first day and expectations for this Saturday. « After the first day where the parades shone and where it was mainly expected that the color of the medal would change, which they perfectly managed to do, the valid ones had an appointment with their Grand Prix at home from today. The Olympics are currently in difficulty. I rely mainly on this event so that we can regain confidence. Today, it was complicated with our three young people and Solene (Avoulete), who had a difficult draw. I loved the attitude of our young fighters, Amine, Uggo and Emma. For them, of course, it was difficult to project themselves on a medal, but they went to the end of what was expected of them. The kind of competition on which We can build. The big day is tomorrow with seven Frenchmen. We didn't make a podium in Rome or Muju, so it's time for revenge. Magda, returning from injury, questioned about his career after the Olympics, but his commitment to training was complete. It is the most medallist of all French and French in the Grand Prix. She can do it... Souleyman (Alaphilippe), the strong man of the moment, wants to fight with the world's best. Theo (Lucien) also knows what it is like to win a medal, Cyrian (Ravet) will be in front of the French public, we wait for Kanelya (Carabin), Sunday there will be Mah (Fofana)... The message is clear: at this level, you have to condition yourself and go to the fight. »