Champions of tomorrow: second in the world!

Believing in oneself marks the beginning of the success, one says. Rising to the second highest category in the world in a sport as rigorous as judo, Alexandre Arencibia serves as a good example.

In the middle of adolescence, the young Arencibia was forgotten in the competition group of the Shidokan club of Montreal. He was divided between victories and defeats. In short, a regular judoka among the others.

Then, he gained musculature, reached the height of six feet and began to gain the upper hand over his opponents.

"He developed self-confidence and it did not stop," says his coach Vincent Marticotte, a former Canadian champion converted to full-time teaching for the past three years at the renowned Notre-Dame-de-Montréal club. thanks.

Youth Olympic Games

His acceleration has allowed him to collect podiums for two years in international and Canadian tournaments.

His amassed points currently rank him third in the all-Canadian cadet rank of 81 kilos (under 18), but the second among athletes eligible for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG).

This consistency in his results should earn him participation in these YOG, in Buenos Aires, from October 6 to 18, a tournament bringing together the eight best athletes in the world of his weight class and born in 2001, 2002 or 2003.

The accomplishment is significant since only one Canadian girl and one boy will participate, in all categories, a privilege that Arencibia deserves because of the best male ranking for a Canadian.

"I see progress at every competition. It encourages me every time because I realize that I'm moving forward in my career, "says the national champion.

Everything comes from this insurance developed since his first appearance at a Canadian championship where, younger in the U-16 category, he reached the final of a tournament he did not even think he would qualify for.

It was at this moment that the click came telling him that Judo would become his whole life.

"At that moment, I said to myself: Now, I have to invest 100% every day. In the morning, I get up thinking about judo. In the evening, I still think of judo. I did not expect that I was going to dedicate myself as much. If you choose this way of life, you choose it for the rest of your life, "he says.

Dedicated to his sport

His entry into the National Training Center based at the National Sports Institute of Quebec, starting this fall, should coincide with his accession to the Canadian junior team.

His coach Shidokan club, who helped him to propel the international scene, resigns to let him go, with a weekly follow-up to ensure a better transition.

Vincent Marticotte, who sees him on the podium at the YOG and just as much at the World Junior Championships in his third and final year at the junior level (under 21), does not have to worry.

His protégé, born to a Quebec mother and a Cuban father, will continue to invest in his sport with the same reverence.

"I think it's nice, Judo, defends the 17-year-old. It's artistic. It's almost like an art ... "