The victory of Abdelkader Bouamer (ALG) in J1 -60 kg is a perfect illustration of this, since the Algerian judoka was coached by Mounia Kerkar, a female coach. As he stepped off the tatami, Abdelkader Bouamer was overjoyed, “I have a very strong feeling of accomplishment. There was a lot of stress before and during the competition. The pressure will ease a little now.

I stayed focused all day and I owe that to my coach, who accompanied me through each contest. I started judo with Mounia in her judo club back in 1989 and we know each other perfectly. For me, judo is above all a question of mind. I was blind from birth, that’s all I’ve known. Having people like Mounia around me gives me strength.”

Mounia Kerkar was also all smiles when she welcomed her athlete as he came off the tatami. “I am really very happy. For a first participation, it is a masterstroke. It is not easy to practise sport when you are blind. It is also difficult to qualify but Abdelkader worked hard and in just a few months he was able to reach his best level to win today.

He participated in 5 international competitions before arriving here and they were excellent preparation. For me, it was logical that I would be in the chair. Abdelkader comes from my club; I am the one who discovered him and followed him all these years. I was an athlete myself and I did a doctorate in the field of training and disability. I have always been interested in disability sport. It was natural that I accompany Abdelkader here. It is truly a consecration.”

As Mounia says, all this is natural and that openness is beautiful when it allows you to reach the stars.