Mont-Saint-Martin, on the borders of Luxembourg and Belgium. Here, in this former iron and steel stronghold of Meurthe-et-Moselle, the Da Costa have set up their “family SME”. A company specializing in karate, a sport that is making its appearance this year at the Games. If the three sons are part of the France team – with the father as a coach – only one of them managed to qualify for the event. On August 5, Steven, 24, will try to become Olympic champion in the legendary room of the Budokan in Tokyo. World champion in 2018, the young man is one of the big favorites in his – 67 kg category.
Resident for many years of the France pole installed at the Center of resources, expertise and sports performance (Creps) of Châtenay-Malabry (Hauts-de-Seine), he returned to the fold two years before the deadline. His twin Jessie and his elder Logan followed. And it is all together that they embarked on the Olympic preparation.
“Karate, it united them”
At numbers 15 and 17 of one of the streets of the town of 9,000 inhabitants located 45 km from the Fensch valley dear to Bernard Lavilliers, the two adjoining houses belong to this karateka clan. Next to the parental home, the confinement made it possible to renovate Steven’s home. Logan is about to take ” his independence “ which consists of moving … “300 m away”.
The Da Costa join their dojo in kimono stockings and slides. A laid-back style claimed: “We would just need wooden flip-flops to make it look more traditional”, Steven laughs. The old converted village hall where they train is only 150 m away. “We have the keys and the room available 24 hours a day. During confinement, when she saw us in uniform, the police did not check us: ‘These are the sportsmen’, they said”, tells Michel, the father.
Four months before the Games, Jessie and Logan still hope to snatch their ticket to Tokyo. The atmosphere is relaxed. “We should do an internship at the Rocky in a chalet in the Vosges”, imagine the first one. The second is no exception to jokes. “You, you cough a little too much for my taste”, Steven launches at him. “He is chronic Covid”, Jessie says.
When the buzzer sounds after the warm-up, the intensity replaces the laughter. The fighters follow a series of mini-clashes: twice 1 minute 30 seconds, then a period of rest. The training is adapted and personalized, but no less demanding. “Karate brought them together. They know very well that they need each other ”, explains Michel Da Costa.
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