2023-09-29 14:13:07
Ten months before the Olympic Games at home, Martinican Mélanie De Jesus Dos Santos presents herself at the World Gymnastics Championships starting Saturday in Antwerp “calm and confident”, like her variation on the floor, full of grace and of gentleness.
For her fifth World Championships, the 23-year-old gymnast has indeed chosen the subtle notes of Sofiane Pamart, the star pianist of the moment, to express herself on the floor. ” It’s true that I’m not used to having such classical music, so slow to be honest. Generally, I have music that moves quite a bit [mais, NDLR] I needed a change“, she explains to AFP.
“It came when we were in the United States with my choreographer. I was in the car and I had my music playlist playing, in a mood (mood) a bit sad“, she says. “He said: “And why not? We’ve never seen you perform such soft music, so we should try, I think the judges might like it.” And indeed, the judges like it! “. At Bercy two weeks ago, her floor exercise, punctuated by high-level acrobatics, allowed her to win with a score of 13.650, during a program that stood out from that of the other competitors.
“The gym is evolving enormously“, continues Mélanie. “We are all capable of doing incredible stunts, so now the judges are a little more picky regarding the choreography. Our music must be in accordance with our dance and it must tell a story“, she explains to AFP.
For me, it tells regarding the moment when, following the Games, I was a little demotivated. I was a little fed up with it all. So it tells a little regarding the Mélanie who returns, calm and confident. This is the mood of my dance.”
The Frenchwoman has indeed regained confidence following a trying Tokyo Olympics, where disappointing results had pushed her to consider retirement. But following a new start in the United States under the orders of Cécile and Laurent Landi, the French coaches of the superstar Simone Biles, the four-time European champion has given new impetus to her career and is once once more tasting the pleasure of her sport . “I don’t have to stress myself out. I did Bercy and before that, I also competed in the United States, so I’m ready. I just have to do, enjoy and have fun“, she says.
Martinican Mélanie De Jesus Dos Santos has been full of confidence since her return. • ©KEMPINAIRE STEPHANE / KMSP
A state of mind unlike his World Championships last year in Liverpool where, due to lack of preparation following a long post-Olympic break, his results were not very convincing.
“Now that’s it, I’m back in the game! “, she says now. “I want to show what I can do, but really without putting pressure on myself.”
In Antwerp in Belgium (September 30-October 8), the main challenge for the Blues will lie in the team event on Monday, which will allow them to win five individual quotas for the Games next summer. To do this, you will have to be part of the nine best qualifying teams outside the United States, Great Britain and Canada, who already have their ticket to Paris.
In addition to the Martinican, the team will also be able to count on the Réunionnaise Marine Boyer, gold on the balance beam at the French Open, Coline Devillard, world bronze medalist last year on vault, or Lorette Charpy, receiving a serious knee injury. Les Bleues can aim for five finals and a medal, depending on the objectives set by the Federation.
For the men, led by Benjamin Osberger or Léo Saladino, the main objective will be to obtain the Olympic qualification by team during their visit scheduled for Sunday.
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