The Paris 2024 Olympics? Raphaël Mohamed will think regarding it, but only following the 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games. Next August’s meeting in Madagascar is the priority objective for the Mahoran hurdler. At 25, Raphaël is part of a very distinguished French top 10.
Raphaël Mohamed lives and trains in CREPS of Poitiers since 2019. His weekly menu? He eats hedges, devours physio sessions and tastes a little bodybuilding. A copious activity. Rich. That he can only digest while resting. The classic diet of a top athlete. Who recognizes all the same to indulge in another type of sport: “Video games? It’s true, I practice a lot. Right now, I’m really into Call of Duty. We’re playing online with quite a few athletes in my training group. In the beginning, Just Kwaou- Mathey was unbeatable. But it’s balancing out.” Like what, on an athletics track or with a joystick in hand, the Mahorais remains a born competitor.
Raphael Mohamed was born in Saint Paul in Reunion. A happy childhood in this department. And a chance discovery of athletics. “I had to be in the fourth class and I took third place in a school cross. The winner was entitled to a free athletics license. However, the first two crosses refused the prize.” The Mahorais is only 13 years old. He does not know it yet but his life will change.
At US Pointe-des-Galets, Raphaël enjoys all disciplines. “Even if I very quickly had a preference for hurdles, length and height.” The hurdles end up winning. “I think I understood the technique of this discipline better.” And above all, his times are dropping. “Be careful, I was perhaps one of the best hurdlers in Reunion without being THE best. It was only later, in the junior category, that I started to reach the finals of the French championships.”
In 2019, Cédric Lopez, Raphaël’s trainer in Reunion gives him a nice gift. He explains to the Mahorais that his future progress goes through exile. He therefore invites her to join France. “It was a big shock despite everything. I was leaving my cocoon.” Raphaël Mohamed packs his bags in Poitiers. At CREPS. Where he joined the group coached by Fabien Lambolez. “It’s a chance to be able to train with Just Kwaou-Mathey, Pablo Matéo or Jeff Erius. It creates a real dynamic.”
And the dynamic pays off. Last winter, the Mahorais broke his indoor record in the 60 meter hurdles. 7 seconds 73. And with a best time of 13 seconds 56 in the 110 meter hurdles, the member of the RC Mamoudzou can be ambitious for next summer. “I expect a lot from the Island Games in Madagascar. I’m aiming for a podium. Or even the title. Why not?” In short, a great rehearsal before the Paris 2024 Olympics. “The Olympics, yes, of course. Except that qualifying over hurdles when you’re French is hot. You have to be among the three best. And when you know the density of the tricolor over hurdles…”
What do Mahorais in exile miss the most? The sun and the heat. Good news: Raphaël Mohamed is leaving for an internship in Mallorca. “A fortnight with my training group in Magaluf, in the south of the island of Mallorca. The second half of April. The opportunity for me to work on my speed… under the sun.” Under the sun and in good company. The Poitiers group should share its sessions with those of Benjamin Crouzet and Olivier Vallaeys. Translation : Pascal Martinot-Lagarde et Wilfried Happio will also be part of the party. This promises an explosive gathering.
Raphaël is a multiple character. Born in Reunion. A Mayotte mother. A Comorian dad. Even if he feels Mahorais, Bourbon Island retains a very special place in his heart. “Necessarily. I grew up there. I was there once more last December for an internship. I can tell you it was great.” Would he have become an adopted Reunionese? “Not at all. Far be it from me to deny my Mahoran and Comorian roots. Nevertheless, following my career, I would see myself returning to live in Reunion.”
