Karate: in place, Sport and Culture of Occitania

Pour sa deuxième compétition en light, Léo Amartino s'est classé 4e à Nîmes. MIDI LIBRE – JERÔME MORIN

Saturday, January 11, in Nîmes, due to a lack of medals, the fighters of Jonquières-Saint-Vincent gained experience. As good students of the Karate School.

For four years, they have been making a place for themselves in the sun on the departmental and regional rings and tatamis. They are the students of the Karate School of Jonquières – Saint-Vincent. The Sport and Culture d'Occitanie association has 90 members.

''This year, we had eight Gard champions in traditional karate, another in the semi-contact French Cup'', reports the technical director and professor at the club, Franck Marcou.

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No podium but experience acquired

A leader trained by his older brother, Mario Marcou (karate school of Pérols) – ''a gentleman of French karate, he says, in the French team at the time. He was the youngest 8th dan in France''.
A source of inspiration, too, for Franck: ''I was trained by my brother. For me, the message to pass on is that traditional karate (kata) is pure technique and that's what leads to combat. It's the backbone. Those who are good at technique will be good at fighting.''

Saturday, on the tatamis of Parnasse, on the occasion of this Coupe de France zone sud, a national competition, the Jonquiérois learned a lot. ''This year, no podium for our school, but superb fights and a great experience for our young competitors'', Franck Marcou is satisfied.

For Léo Amartino, direction light-contact

Among the club's participants, three cadets (14-15 years old), in less than 60 kg. Including Léo Amartino, 14 years old, fresh 1st dan in traditional karate. ''I want to direct him towards contact karate, where he is more comfortable'', notes Franck.

A new discipline that the boy, 4th in Nîmes, seems to appreciate: ''I like traditional karate, but I also like light-contact. This is my 2nd competition. It's different because, in light, we do 2 rounds and, in karate, it's 2 minutes in one go. After the November 2024 competition (already at Parnasse) and this one, I want to continue because I like it.''

''I want complete karatekas'', notes the coach, Franck Marcou

Warren Modica, for his part, like his teammate, finished at the foot of the box (4th) while Jovanny Carita was stopped in the 1st round of the repechage, at the gates of the small final (3rd place).

More than encouraging results for the future. ''I want my students to know how to do everything,'' says Franck Marcou. I want well-rounded karatekas, equally at ease in full-body, traditional or competitive karate.'' The message seems to have gone down well within the club of president Jessica Beddou.