A.E.E : You have been weightlifting for several years now. How did you get into weightlifting? ?
Weightlifting chose me in a special way in 2010 when I was in the 4th grade. God was gracious to me and gave me physical strength. For the record, my big sister Céline belongs to a meeting of nationals of Baloua, a community in Ndé. She shared this meeting with Paul Tchangue, a gentleman who trained the young champions. My sister saw my overflowing strength and went to see this gentleman if he could do something for me. During our first meeting in Bepanda towards the small market I saw athletes practicing weightlifting and I took a liking to it. It was a Wednesday at the Bepanda small market district. The beginnings were not easy because I also played football and weightlifting does not mix with other sports. This year I had a fractured tibia and it gave me a year off. After this shock I gave up football to the detriment of weightlifting.
A.E.E : Did your parents accept this trajectory? ?
Yes, the parents accepted with us; the parents gave the children the opportunity to choose their trajectories. Even if he is asked to do something, he himself must show the desire to get started. When I saw others practicing weightlifting I had the passion to start. My father and mother gave me blessings. Until today I have the support of the family.
A.E.E : You honored Cameroon at the 13th African Games 2024 in Accra, Ghana. How did the team prepare to take part in these games?
Our preparation was difficult. Because we have a material problem, as you can see this is where we work. We don't have the equipment, we try not to see that as an obstacle. We tell ourselves that perhaps others elsewhere are suffering more than us. Psychologically we work so that this insufficiency of the material does not impact our performance. Also that when we arrive at a competition people remember that the continent was present.
This preparation was doubly difficult because I was coming off an injury. Before the preparations for the African games we were at the world championship where I returned with a great performance. This competition took place in February 2024 just a few days before the start of the African Games..
A.E.E : How the African Games took place in Accra?
We left for the African Games with the stress of knowing that the leaders were counting on us. The first athletes to compete in weightlifting under 81 kg win the bronze and silver medals. Gold was still awaited and I was the last to go for it despite the stress of lifting Cameroon high. I had in front of me an Egyptian who was a strong opponent and a Mauritian. The primary objective was to chase the silver medal before chasing the gold. Except that the strategy did not produce the expected result. I started the first attempt at 152 kg which I passed and I set the bar at 161 kg which I missed. I chose this load because the opponent weighed 163 kg and gave me an 11 kg difference. I questioned myself despite health concerns. I went to get 192 kg from the shoulder jetty on the first try which I succeeded. My opponent asked for 193 kg which he succeeded. I asked for 201 kg on the second try, he asked for 202. I went to the duel and achieved 201 kg which made me a gold medalist. He went for 202 kg which he missed. Then he asks for 203 so that I go before him, I signal to the supervisor to prepare 205 kg for me. He is forced to go before me and fails the 203 kg a second time. From that moment I was confirmed gold medalist in the second movement at the shoulder jetty. This is Cameroon's first gold medal in Accra. Except it wasn't over. You had to move on to the second wave of 205 kg to get the total medal. It is this second wave that allows us to sing the anthem of the victorious country. This day I called on the Lord and my ancestors to help me. It was the most beautiful weightlifting duel in Accra. African leaders came to greet me and congratulate me, including my opponent. I left there with great emotion.
A.E.E : What is your biggest dream in this discipline?
I dream of an Olympic medal and participation in the Olympic Games. Besides that, I want to go outside to be in ideal conditions which will allow me to increase my performance and realize my dreams. I would also like to build a large room equipped with the latest generation equipment for care, recovery and health. Because I am faced with multiple difficulties and I would not want the new generation to encounter the same difficulties.
J. Patrick DJON .
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