six medals for this Val-d’Oise club

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“I took my revenge,” breathes Younesse Salmi. On December 14, 2024 at the Palais des Sports Saint-Sauveur in Lille (North), the member of the Gonesse Karate Club beat Ayoub Anis Helassa at the end of a spectacular final of – 67 kg (7-6) to win the Coupe de France senior fights for 4^e times since 2019.

Six medals

“Member of KE Argenteuil, reigning African champion and junior world champion in 2019 in – 55 kg, this Algerian karateka beat me at the Athens Series A thanks to a cane (sic) during a close fight. This time, the objective was to press him and not relax,” explains the protégé of Laurent Ndzalla junior, who always led, but had to fight.

“This fight was the hardest of his career. He had clearly beaten his other rivals, including Brice Léger (Évry, 8-1),” confides his coach.

Salmi Victories

The next day, the leader of Gonesse KC contributed to the victory of his club allied to AASS Karate Sarcelles in the men's team event.

“Younesse participated in all the matches. In the final against Évry-Courcouronnes (won in the 5th fight), he allowed our alliance to equalize at 1-1 by beating Faadel Boussag, 7^e at the 2021 Worlds in + 84 kg (6-1)”, underlines his brother Aïssame (one of the 3 Gonessian coaches with Laurent Ndzalla Jr and Toumko Sylla).

With these two victories, Gonesse KC had already had a successful weekend. With 4 additional individual podiums, he experienced an exceptional competition.

New arrivals

Niswa Ahmed (2nd in – 50 kg) turned the page on a season made gloomy by an injury.

The 2019 hopeful world champion and 3rd in Senior Euro 2022 confirmed her return to form after her victory at the Noris French Open. She recovered from a handicap against Inès El Mezdioui and outclassed Hermione Kermeur before falling into the trap of the blocker Cylia Ouikène.

Three of the newcomers then won a medal. Twice world champion (2019 junior in – 53 kg and 2023 hopeful in – 50 kg), Assma Charif finished 3rd in – 55 kg.

Maryam Ajaray, Belgian world No. 3 after her success at the Serie A in Salzburg, finished 2nd in -61 kg. Rayyan Meziane (3rd in the Salzburg Series A) ranked 2nd in – 60 kg. Finally, feverish, Mouna Eddarhri (Moroccan, 2023 senior African champion) ranked 7th in + 68 kg, defeated by the winner Ophélie Mulolo.

Julien BIGORNE

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