Axel Cuq’s day had started very well. In Sofia, this Thursday June 27, the Niortais (- 50 kg) already left with the advantage of his ranking in Bulgaria. As seeded No. 2, he was initially spared from the first round, then he could appreciate not meeting other seeds in his part of the table until the semi-final.
All the fights of the morning went well, until the semi-final. “He did a very good job, underlines Anthony Mortini, the coach of DAN 79. Then came the fierce fight of the day, against the Ukrainian Rostyslav Kostrykin.
“The semi-final was within his reach”
While he mastered his exercise, Axel Cuq was beaten in the golden score. “It’s all the more frustrating because the semi-final was within his reach, continues his coach. Axel was really dominating and it was necessary to go to the golden score to separate them. Kostrykin was opportunistic to counter Axel, who forced his attack a little bit.
The young Niortais then returned to the repechage for the bronze medal, facing the Israeli Michael Eldan, himself from the first round of the secondary draw. “I think Axel was obviously a little disappointed, but he started his fight for third place well”says Anthony Mortini, who will only arrive in Bulgaria this Friday, for the fights of Léonie Minkada-Caquineau (+ 70 kg), the second resident of DAN 79 competing in Bulgaria on Saturday June 29.
But once again, Axel Cuq went all the way to the golden score. “He took the penalties, which I don’t think were all justified, and it ended with an ippon, without a medal. It’s hard to take but the most infuriating thing is the semi-final.”recalls his trainer.
Best French of the day
The competition, even if it ended without a podium, will not be forgotten. “Axel is still young, he showed that he knows how to be there for a whole day, even if there is no medal at the end, relativise Anthony Mortini. It remains a good experience for the next deadlines.”
Among them, there are in particular the world championships scheduled for the end of August in Peru. “Axel is the best Frenchman of the day, being fifth bodes well before the selection is announced”smiles his coach, without letting himself be carried away by excess confidence, while waiting for a list which should fall after the European championship.
