Damiano Martinuzzi, new coach at… Teddy Riner’s PSG!

Damiano, have you become a PSG fan? Are there any links between football and judo?

“Before I arrived, I obviously didn’t attach as much importance to PSG’s results as I do now. And I don’t jump for joy at every victory. But there are close links between the five sections of the club. So, yes, you become a supporter. It’s logical. PSG is a brand. We benefit, that’s a strong word, from the richness of other sports and visibility. But also from professionalism. And then, there is a philosophy that comes from the football club because the boss is Nasser al-Khelaïfi. I sometimes hear from the president of the judo section words that I read in certain interviews with the big boss.”

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“Our female judokas are the first to have won the Champions League for PSG.”

Is Nasser al-Khelaïfi interested in judo?

“Of course! He has already participated in events. He also invited our female judokas to the Parc des Princes to celebrate their victory in the Champions League. They are the first to have won it for PSG! In his eyes, each section of the club is important. It’s a detail but it left its mark on me: at the beginning of the year, he organized a galette des rois, to which not only the players and judokas were invited but also all the employees. It’s a big family!”

Damiano Martinuzzi, happy at PSG, with Luis Enrique and Nasser al-Khelaïfi. ©Guy Beauclercq

How did you become a coach at PSG? Who came to get you at Judo Vlaanderen?

“Last summer, I was contacted by the president, Djamel Bouras, who explained to me that the club was interested in hiring a new coach. And he asked me if I was interested. I admit that, for me, it was not easy to leave my country and Judo Vlaanderen. A year before the Paris Games, I was in an Olympic project with Matthias, Toma, Mina. It was not an easy decision to make. But, once I made it, it became one. Because I have no regrets! I have moved into another world. And it is a huge opportunity to be able to work at this level, in such a professional structure.”

What is your exact role at PSG?

“I am the head coach of a group of twenty-five judokas. If we compare it with a federation, we can talk about “head coach”. My role does not stop at training. I am also in charge of planning. At the same time as my arrival, PSG strengthened itself with five transfers such as Luka Mkheidze, Walide Khyar or Margaux Pinot. The club has taken on another dimension in French judo. You should know that we have 50% of the French team selected for the Paris Games. We were hoping for nine, we have seven… But, in my head, there is no pressure because I felt it straight away. I knew the value of the judokas that I was brought to train when I arrived in September. The club’s objectives were clear.”

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“PSG is the club that brings back to France the most medals at the Euro, at the World Cup…”

What are the club’s goals? To become European champion?

“To be the best club in France, in Europe, but not only! PSG is the club most represented at the European or world championships, the one that brings back the most medals to France. PSG is stronger than many countries. At Euro 2023, in Montpellier, we had a clean sweep with four gold medals and two bronze medals. It’s not just the club. It’s in collaboration with the federation. To come back to the pressure, I say no because I knew what I was getting into.”

Are you still coaching?

“Yes, at some Grand Slams. For the rest, I’m not in the coach’s chair but I’m accredited. I have a role to play, particularly at the tactical level with certain judokas who feel the need. I’m in contact with them every day. Within the club, there are the elites, a few juniors and that’s it. That’s already not bad because PSG aims for excellence.”

How does a, let’s say, normal week in Paris go? READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

“I often leave home on Monday, around five in the morning. It’s not far. And I don’t hide the fact that this proximity made my decision easier, my choice to come and train in Paris. I had already received offers to train abroad, but it was far away. And then, the project wasn’t as big, as beautiful. On Monday morning, we train here, in Ivry. We have two sessions per day, boys and girls separated. That’s why I work with two coaches. As a general rule, my day starts early and ends late because I attend all the training sessions. I can’t imagine it any other way. But that was already the case before. You have to be in contact with the judokas all the time! Often, my days are spent at Insep. Between the two sessions, I also organize my meetings there. For example, watching videos…”

Damiano Martinuzzi in training at PSG… ©Guy Beauclercq

Will you be at the Paris Games?

“Yes, but it was never the club’s wish, and even less mine, to arrive and put me on the chair as coach. The deadline was too short and, above all, it would be presumptuous of me. The results were there before I arrived! I think I bring added value, a different vision, but it was already working. So why change?”

With just one gold medal, has France turned the page on the Tokyo Games?

“I think that the change of president at the French federation was an opportunity to question things. The evolution meant that judokas from big nations like France went abroad a little more, like small countries, to seek competition. The best example is Teddy Riner. A champion like him knew how to adapt to the needs of the high level by participating in training courses and competitions, even though he is one of the most studied judokas in the world. Teddy comes to the club from time to time. He is an example. But the planning must be adapted to the person and not to a complete team. So, yes, he works in an individualized way.”

In France, the competition is huge, isn’t it?

“The level is very high. For example, there are three girls in -57 kg, two of whom from PSG have won a Grand Slam, Faiza Mokdar and Priscilla Gneto, but they are not selected for the Olympics! It’s Sarah Cysique, the highest ranked in the ranking. This is the reality of French judo. This competition is new for me.”

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“Frankly, I would prefer that Alpha Djalo, from PSG, does not meet Matthias Casse.”

How long have you signed with PSG for?

“It’s a fixed-term contract, for three years. So, until 2026, which gives me time to see if I like it. We realized that my arrival a year before the Olympics was a bit of a complicated situation. So, halfway before Los Angeles, we’ll evaluate. But it’s obvious that, given my current situation, I’m resigning right away!”

Surprise: Damiano Martinuzzi leaves Toma Nikiforov and Matthias Casse!

Do you still have contacts with Belgium, Matthias Casse, Toma Nikiforov, Judo Vlaanderen?

“Of course! With Matthias and Toma. Less with Judo Vlaanderen… Of course. When I meet them, we talk. There is no question of ignoring them. After so many years of collaboration, there is still a connection; which, in a way, reassures the judokas I look after. On the other hand, I have distanced myself professionally. Today, I am 100% at PSG!”

How did you experience the victory of Alpha Djalo, from PSG, against Matthias Casse for bronze at the Euro in Montpellier?

“Honestly, I would have preferred that they not meet. Or in the final for the gold. But there you go, may the best man win!”

The PSG Judo team in full with… Teddy Riner. ©Guy Beauclercq
2024-07-16 14:11:48
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