The pressure of the first Olympics
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“For me, it's neither a pressure nor a stress.
I tell myself that I have everything to gain from this first experience at the Games.
I am already lucky enough to be able to fight despite the health situation, and I am proud to be able to represent France.
I just can't wait for it to start, that's all. ”
The pressure to live the Games in the land of judo
“It adds extra interest, that's all, not pressure.
To win a title here would be amazing.
In addition, Japan is a very beautiful country that I love.
It's full of little details that could make the story even more magnificent.
But I prefer to focus on what I have to do on the mat rather than making movies in my head.
However beautiful there must be, it will be written on its own. "
The pressure to succeed an Olympic champion in her category
“It motivates me above all.
I think I can bring home a nice Olympic medal like Emilie (Andéol) did in Rio.
Obviously, I'm aiming for gold and would do anything for it.
In my category, France has been shining for a number of years and I simply want it to continue.
Emilie showed me five years ago that the heavy ones were strong in France, and I am motivated to keep the title at home. ”
The pressure of being part of an impressive French women's team
“I don't see it as pressure, but rather as a source of emulation.
It is true that I am the last to fight and that this can be a source of pressure, either because all those before me have performed, or because they have failed and we have to save the country a little (smile ).
Well, honestly, I believe a lot more in the first scenario because our collective is really strong and I tell myself that it is only positive for me, it motivates me even more to tell myself that I must deserve my place.
It makes me work even harder.
I don't want to be the ugly duckling that doesn't perform. ”
The pressure to show up with a favorite sign
“It's true that it's a pressure, but I got used to it during the last Grand Slams in which I took part.
Of course, these are different competitions from the Olympics but I've been performing for two seasons, which allows me to be seeded in Tokyo, and I know very well that I am being watched.
I saw that my judo was more analyzed.
It is up to me to know how to assume this status.
I worked a lot mentally to show that I was only favorite on paper, but also on the mat. ”
The pressure to be seen as a future female Teddy Riner
“A short while, yes, it put pressure on me.
When I was 17 and I won my first title of champion of France, behind, I said to myself that I had to win everything.
When in fact, this is not how I should think.
I just had to keep producing my judo, what I knew how to do and what I liked to do.
Result, at the Junior World Championships that followed, I was beaten from the first round and there I understood that I had to manage this enthusiasm around me differently.
I started to call on a mental trainer to help me and quickly I progressed.
I know there's no point in comparing myself to Teddy and just have to go my way. ”
The pressure of repeated injuries
“At some point, inevitably, I started to doubt. In 2018, I had my shoulder surgery. No problem at the time, I knew I was still two years before the Games. Except that in 2019, I get injured again and there, the countdown begins. I come back in November, but on my return, I do two poor performances and the doubt really begins to invade me. Will I be ready in time for Tokyo? Would I even qualify? Will I get back to my best on time? At one point, the questions were rushing and I had to deal with all these emotions. I said to myself: “Romane, take your time”. But the Games were coming in less than six months and time I didn't have. Finally, until the postponement which was really beneficial to me. I was coming back from two years of injuries and it wasoffered an additional year of training. For the young judokate that I am, it was a blessing… ”
The pressure of the health context and the absence of the public
“The fact that there won't be an audience tends to take the pressure off me, I think.
There will be no excitement around the competition as it could have been.
It's a shame in terms of the atmosphere, but if I look at the glass half full, it also means less staring at me.
So maybe I could move more slowly, focusing only on what I have to do and not all the extras.
I always try to see the positive in every situation. ”
