22 Feb. 2017 – Nacif Elias, Rio 2016 Olympian, and one of the currently most prominent names in judo visited Lebanon from the 16th till the 22nd of February. He took part in the Antoine Chartier International Judo Championship that was held in Bouddha Club, Adma.
We took the chance to ask Nacif a few questions about his past, present and future and here’s what the Olympian had to say:
Tell us how did it feel having the Brazilian crowd have your back in Rio even if you were competing for Lebanon?
Indeed, I was playing for Lebanon but it was not a problem. The Brazilian people had always had my back. I love both Lebanon and Brazil. Even when the referee in Rio made his decision to disqualify me, all the people there were cheering for me and it really warmed my heart. I loved this because this is judo. Judo is not only for Lebanon or for Brazil, it is for the whole world.
How was the Paris Grand Slam?
The problem in this Grand Slam is that I hadn’t trained enough. I was only able to train 3 weeks before the competition and my body was not ready. I lacked the physical condition and the speed. But this year, I am training to win a medal in both a Grand Slam and a Grand Prix not only a World Cup.
How about an Olympic medal?
The Olympics are not for another 3 years, my main focus is the present. For the time being, I will be training for the Grand Slams, Grand Prix. I will also be focusing on the World Championships that will be held this year in Hungary.
You have a Grand Prix in Dusseldorf, how are you prepared?
I want a medal, but I am not trained enough for this competition. I can play, but my body is not fast enough and my endurance isn’t at its best yet. Maybe I will win a medal and maybe I won’t.
What’s the matter with you and the referees’ decisions in international competitions? (As we have seen in Rio and in Paris)
On the international scene, they don’t like Lebanon. Never in the history of judo did someone Lebanese win an Olympic medal. But this is not a problem, you win some and you lose some. I am training very hard and I haven’t given up yet. I want to win a medal for Lebanon in the Olympic games or the World Championships. This is my ultimate goal.
What about Tokyo 2020?
Before Rio, I trained very hard; up to 4 times per day. In Brazil we didn’t have the best facilities but I had the best coach. In 2015, I spent a full year with no place to train, we only had a gym for physical training but we had no space for judo. I spent the whole year training fitness and going to other clubs in order for me to train. It was really hard for me. As a result, I opened my own gym for judo. It is not really big but it’s big enough for me to train and prepare. With good structure, organization and proper training you will get good results. I want a medal in Tokyo.
Congratulations on your gym! On another note, why do you compete for Lebanon and not Brazil?
In Lebanon, there are a lot of wars and chaos. So amidst all this tumult, I wanted to bring happiness to the Lebanese people and become an idol to them. In Brazil we already have a lot of them, but in Lebanon, we need one that will bring peace.
Now about Lebanese judo, what’s your opinion?
In Lebanon, people only watch basketball. They are only interested in basketball, all the media’s attention is for basketball and all the investments too. You see very little coverage for, and investment in other sports which is very sad. In Lebanon, there are very good and strong athletes who have a lot of potential. But they don’t have the appropriate organization. In Brazil, we have a fitness coach, a gym coach, a judo coach, a technical coach along with a physiotherapist and a nutritionist all just for one athlete. In Lebanon, we do not have that yet and this is what the sport needs along with investment and funds. That’s why in Lebanon it is hard to win medals abroad. For me, I am not pleased with a medal at a Grand Slam, at the Francophonie Games or at the World Cup. I want a medal at the Olympics or the World Championships for Lebanon. And for that, you need good structure and organization.
It is worth mentioning that Nacif will be participating in a Grand Prix in Dusseldorf and will be playing on the 24th of February.
Stay tuned for his results!
Interview and article by: Ghina Chehwan
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