Of the eight Mauritian athletes who will compete in the Olympics in Tokyo, some have a chance to make a splash. To see in particular, boxer Merven Clair, 27, for his second Olympic participation and seventh in the world in his category, 65 kg. RFI met him during a training session at the National Boxing Center in Vacoas.
From our Port-Louis correspondent,
The jump rope accelerates and decelerates at a pace that fools the young athletes who came sneaking to participate in the training of the two selected Olympians. It takes place at the National Boxing Center, one of the most important venues for Vacoa’s sports complex.
The two boxes are from two different generations. With Olympics in Tokyo, Richarno Colin, 34, makes his third Olympics; Merven Clair makes its second appearance. So far, they have been happy with a participation.
“My goal is the podium”
But this time, Merven Clairse is preparing to step on the podium. “My ambition is to go to the Olympics and try to get on the podium. I’ve spent my whole life training, my whole life in the ring. Today I reach the highest level of competition. I prepared well, my goal is the podium “, ambitions the young boxer.
Inclusion and border closures have disrupted preparations for the Mauritanians. In mid-June, the boxing association was still trying to find an internship and training partner abroad. But Merven Clair does not make it an obsession. He knows his opponents, there is already something: “I looked at the final list of qualified, there is the world number. I’m already boxed against him. I have my stock. There is number two, a Cuban. There are many good boxers in the category. I’m seventh in the world. I have all my chances, it’s not impossible ”.
Cuban style
The national technical director, the Cuban Roberto Ivanez Chavez, took personal responsibility for the preparation of Merven Clair. His profile reminds him of boxers in his country. “He is a boxer who has a good style, like the ones I worked with in Cuba. He has good movements and quality in the shots. He’s a fighter. He is a talented athlete “, explains the Cuban coach
Mervin Clair is talented and also well surrounded. In Tokyo, he will also be developed under the watchful eye of Richarno Colin, who will be his second mentor as a former French-speaking 64kg champion and Olympic competitor for the third time. Richarno Colin, also to watch during the matches, believes that his young teammate Merven Clair can now dream big. “He is young, disciplined and very intelligent. He has good boxing. In addition, he is an excellent left-hander. He will shine at the games, he predicts.
As Merven Clair enters the ring, two populations will hold their breath, the Mauritians and their compatriots from Rodrigues, an island 90 minutes by flight from mainland Mauritius. This is where Merven Clair was born. And that was where he learned to box in the footsteps of his uncle, a former national champion. The young Mauritian is proud of his origins and career: “As a young person who comes a long way from Rodrigues Island to be able to pursue the sport to such a height, it is special. When I imagine where I started and where I am now, it’s special. ”
Released in the first round at the Rio Olympics, then African champion in Congo 2017 and in Morocco two years later, Merven Clair now has the experience of major events. This relative maturity and strength of his youth gives him better chances in Tokyo. A good draw against the background of personal circumstances at the height of the event and the stars will be able to adapt so that his fate slips away.
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