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HelloMonaco : What did it feel like for you when you had been invited to attend the Tokyo Olympic Games ?
Quentin Antognelli : Actually , I was not completely sure to be part of the Olympics . In mid-April , I failed the qualifying regatta , but I didn ’ t give up following a parallel project with the University I attend , that is the Henley Royal Regatta on the river Thames . That was really a crucial chance for me , and I completely focused on the goal , completing a tough training program . Then , Mrs . Yvette Lambin- Berti ( Representative of the Monegasque Olympic Committee ) called me . At the very beginning I was more surprised than happy .
As soon as I started spreading the piece of news to people , I knew everyone was super happy . Finally joy prevailed with just a bit of stress in trying to organize everything to get ready for the Olympic Games at my best , balancing sports preparation with academic studies within the Business Management Masters at Oxford Brookes University .
Xiaoxin Yang : It was a real and great honour for me to compete under the flag of the Principality , the place that has been giving me the unique chance to attend major international challenges . But my Olympic participation was also the realization of a childhood dream . The outcome of the Olympic Games preliminary qualifications went very well . In particular , I won in Qatar in March so , I cannot say it was a surprise in the end . However , it was really exciting to reach that goal that has already gone beyond any initial expectations .
Théo Druenne : My coach told me a few weeks in advance that I might have the chance to attend the Olympics for the Principality . Then , one day I got confirmation of my participation ; I felt very elated but also pride . I do believe that all sportsmen dream to experience the Olympic adventure . What an emotion !
Claudia Verdino : My mother received this good news first , since at that time I was doing a medical internship at De Créteil Hospital in the Paris urban area . It is still difficult to express what I felt in that moment : a mix of excitement and joy because I didn ’ t really expect it , so , at first , I couldn ’ t believe it .
: Are you satisfied with your results ?
Cédric Bessi : Yes , absolutely . I had already told myself : it all depends on the draw based on the world ranking list , digitally mixed up at random by avoiding a concentration of the best players . It often happens that you must face a World Series opponent in the first
Quentin Antognelli posing for HelloMonaco in front of the Société Nautique de Monaco Квентин Антоньелли около офиса Морского общества Монако
round and that is even more complex and challenging . At the Tokyo Olympics , the fact of not having preliminary challenges was favourable . My target was to be successful in order to enter the final . I had already met him ( Lukas Diallo . — ) in previous challenges and I knew I could prevail over him . So , I succeeded in gaining points achieving a satisfactory outcome . In the other match , I faced one of the greatest world champions ( Tsend-Ochir Tsogtbaatar , a Mongolian judoka . — ). I was aware of his skill , but I did all I could coming to the end with dignity . Being part of such a high-level challenge was memorable .
Quentin Antognelli : Yes , absolutely . Getting the result , among the first twenty-four classified , was a great thing as was reaching the Final C , my second objective , classifying in the 15th position . That was something !
Charlotte Afriat : Everything was great from start to finish ! The highlight was when I discovered the Stadium for the first time , crowded with athletes . In fact , I completed my training two days before the challenge . Then , the official start of the racing . The Olympic outcome , fifth position was very satisfying and unexpected . Olympics gather the world ’ s best athletes . Thus , it is not easy to be classified in the first places or among the top ten and to place a winning time in the final . I consider the Olympic performance one of the best I have ever done , also from a technical point of view . I kept a good running pace after a promising initial reaction time . What more could you ask for ?
Xiaoxin Yang : Not completely satisfied since I wasn ’ t very lucky with the draw , facing greatly prepared athletes , notably the world ’ s number two ranked champion . Nevertheless , I had one of the best experiences of my life up to now and that filled me with great expectations for the next Olympic challenge , that is Paris 2024 . Currently , I am number 33 in the world ranking so I promised myself to improve hoping to meet the right opponents .
Théo Druenne : Yes , of course . I am satisfied with my first participation since I managed to beat my personal record and to achieve my goals . In particular , the most exciting moment was when I entered the Olympic swimming pool and I finally told myself “ Wow , I ’ m here , let ’ s go !”. The worst was the long wait for results .
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