Yacine and Amina agree on one point, "We have a great junior team" and this is perhaps the most important thing, emphasises Amina, "We don't want a group; we are building a team, because although we are working in an individual sport, each individual is empowered by the power of the team."
It is certain that for years, team France has proven that they are capable of transcending themselves in great moments, as was the case this summer in Tokyo. When everything pointed to Japan to win the mixed team gold, it was the judoka led by Clarisse Agbegnenou and Teddy Riner who won the coveted medal.
"During the last European Junior Championships, organised in Luxembourg, it worked well for our athletes, both for men and women. For boys I'm still a little concerned. We had two titles and we could still have expected better results, because some of our competitors did not perform up to our expectations but it was a really good overall result.
Everything is possible here in Italy," explains Yacine Douma. "It's a great springboard for the Games in Paris in 2024 and those in Los Angeles four years later. All these boys are training hard. Sometimes they are still a little tender, needing to gain experience at the highest level and that is why these championships are so important."
For Amina Abdellatif the observation is identical, "In Olbia we expect medals of course but above all we want commitment and the desire to win. If it works it will be a great reward for all the work undertaken over the last three years. We started working with these athletes a few years ago and little by little, we are building the future of team France. We have real hopes. The team is made up of girls who have strength and experience and for whom this is the last competition in this age group. Many of them are already on the senior World Judo Tour and have good results there but we also have young rookies. Each one brings to the table their experience and skills and that enriches everyone."
All that being said, the French team hold the line to win the mixed team title at the end of the weekend, "We dream of this title for our judoka. They deserve it and have the potential to be able to emulate their elders. If we win the world title on Sunday, it will be a first for French judo in this age category but it's a championship and it's not the same as a tournament and especially during team competitions; we know that anything can happen," says Yacine.
"We are of course still riding on the euphoria of the Tokyo Games and on the good results of the European Junior Championships and that is a positive point but we must focus on the future because the future starts today,” concludes Amina.
In a few days, a new step will be taken. Will it be one with smiles for the French judoka? We'll find out soon but certainly the team spirit lives in this team of France.