Athletics: "I realized my childhood dreams", Cyréna Samba-Maleya savors her world title

The performance lives up to the cries of joy expressed on arrival.

Knees on the ground and head facing the track, Cyréna Samba-Maleya does not hold back her tears.

The young 21-year-old hurdler has just “realized [s] her childhood dreams” by becoming world champion in the 60m hurdles on Saturday in Belgrade.

24 hours after her exceptional performance, the new French record holder still can't get over it.

"I don't realize it yet, it's a dream, I have the impression that people are going to wake me up and say to me, 'Cyréna, you're going to work, don't think it really happened', but it's incredible !

exults the Frenchwoman, after having spent a short night with her staff and on the phone with her relatives.

By setting a time of 7′'78, the athlete from Champigny-sur-Marne erased from the shelves the co-holders of the former national record Monique Ewanje-Epée and Linda Ferga (7″82).

🥇 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗘 𝗗𝗨 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗘!

🔥

🇬🇧 Cyréna Samba-Mayela wins the 60m hurdles final in 7''78 in Belgrade, RECORD DE FRANCE!

Simply huge!

💻 Follow the #WorldIndoorChamps in 𝗗𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗧 on https://t.co/63xdTVLhtA and https://t.co/XpKsS21tPb.

pic.twitter.com/q7LBiZBPaP

– FFAthlétisme (@FFAthlétisme) March 19, 2022

“It represents a lot of things, I am happy to be able to motivate people through [my title], rejoices the triple champion of France.

To be able to be an example, a motivation for others.

I started athletics seeing the champions and the records and I said to myself “I want to do the same”.

It is now done.

However, the new world champion, and unique in the discipline in the French clan, admits not even remembering her straight line.

“I have no idea how the race went,” laughs Cyréna Samba-Maleya.

I have a blackout.

It was clearly on instinct, all the work this winter came out on its own.

Consciousness level, I was not necessarily there.

I had lucidity but it was in control, the expression of myself.

I realized only when I crossed the line.

»

First-placed Cyrena Samba-Mayela of France celebrates after the women's 60m hurdles final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 2022 in Stark Arena, Belgrade, Serbia, March 19, 2022. Photo by Xinhua/Zheng Huansong/ABACAPRESS.COM - Photo by Icon sport Abaca / Icon Sport

The forgotten Olympics package

Exit then the disappointment of Tokyo.

Eight months ago, the young Tricolor had been forced to give up, during her first Olympic Games, before even competing, because of a sharp pain in the left ischio felt during the warm-up.

“I was going to Tokyo to gain experience, to demystify the Olympics.

But there, I totally won the gold medal!

“, she enthuses.

"I'm a person who always looks forward so, even if it hurt me a lot for a while, I managed to use it to be able to work all season thinking "I don't want to more than that happens,” and that’s where it got me,” explains the architecture school student.

On top of the world but still with “feet on the ground”: “I really feel like I've turned a corner, analyzes Cyréna Samba-Maleya.

I will be able to use my experience and the management of this championship for the future.

»

Because after rest and delight, the ends will quickly be re-shod.

“I savor the present moment but be sure that for the summer season I will be there”, she warns.

Starting with the first international meetings, before turning to the second biggest meeting of the year: the European Championships (August 15-21) in Munich.

For an additional course to cross, this time in the open air.