XXVIII Olympic Games in Athens, Greece-XXVIII Olympic Games in Athens, Greece |11 August 2004

In Sydney, Australia, in 2000, judoka Francis Labrosse’s adventure in the Olympic Game lasted only 18 seconds. Algeria Omar Rebahi eliminated Labrosse, who was competing as an invitee, by a quick ippon in the extra light weight (60-kg) category.

In Athens, both Algerian Rebahi and Labrosse are among the 33 judokas vying for medals in the 60-kg division.

With the draw only scheduled for Thursday August 12, judoka Labrosse, the first Seychellois to go in action at these Games on Saturday August 14, has said that even though he knows most of his opponents he has to wait and see if he gets a good draw.

“This is my second Olympic Games and I know what to expect.  I hope to get a good draw and that my body will respond to the high demand of competing at this level,” said 25-year-old Labrosse.

Bronze medallist at the Commonwealth Championship in Scotland in 1998 when he lost in the semifinal to an English opponent, Labrosse trained with the Camberly club and the England national team for the last month.

"I made friends with the English judoka who beat me at the Commonwealth Championship and his coach Mark Earle had always wanted me to come and train with them in England. After my two years Olympic Solidarity Scholarship came to an end earlier this year and I was invited to the Olympics, I decided to go to England to train. 

Training has gone on fine and I’ve learned a lot both tactically and technically, coach Earke will be in Athens to watch me in action as well as two of his judokas who have made the England team," said Labrosse.

It is to be note that coach Earke also coaches the Southern England national team.

Two-time Olympian Labrosse, it is worth noting, has participated in two Indian Ocean Island Games in 1998 (Reunion) and 2003 (Mauritius) finishing fifth each time.

After winning a bronze medal at the Commonwealth champion in Scotland in 1998, Labrosse was placed 13th at the World Championship in England in 1999. In 2002, he finished fifth overall and was the best Seychellois performer.

In 2002 at the Jeux de la Francophonie in Canada, he was seventh overall.

Labrosse has also participated in two All-Africa Games in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1999 (finishing ninth) and in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2003 (not ranked because of a recurring should injury).

Meanwhile, Labrosse will have a lot of fighting to do on Saturday if he is to win a medal.

Japanese Todahiro Nomura, 60-kg gold medallist in 1996 (Atlanta) and 2000 (Sydney) is aiming to become the first judoka ever to win three Olympic gold medals.

Also in the 60-kg division is Tunisians Anis Lounifi, the African and World champion, whom Labrosse knows well for having trained with him at l’Insep in Paris, France.

Labrosse did not miss to add that he once beat Tunisian Lounifi.

Hopefully, the Seychellois judoka, will be at his best on Saturday to overcome his opponents.