Makan Traoré, the young boxer from Royan is participating, for the first time in his career, in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This international sporting event takes place from July 26 to August 11, 2024, then with the Paralympic Games, from August 28 to September 8. With the same objective for all participants: the gold medal!
Makan, a talent that hits hard
The young French hope of English boxing selected is therefore Royannais. Originally from the Paris region, the Traoré family settled in Royan to offer a better quality of life to Makan, Fatou and Aminata. They all shine in their studies and play sports. During his second year of BTS digitalization negotiation and customer relations in Bordeaux (which he obtained), he became a supervisor at Émile Zola college. The students don't yet know that they haven't heard the last of him!
THE “MAKAN” PROJECT
We take two sporty and committed teachers, a volunteer 3rd year class, and we obtain a united team whose mission is to make Makan Traoré known within the Émile Zola college and in the Royan Atlantique territory. Articles, interviews, sports meetings, information searches punctuate the school year in a space dedicated by the college management. As a reward for the work accomplished, the collective was able to witness the passage of the Olympic Flame at Futuroscope.
The tourist office collaborates with them for this article.
Discovery of the noble art
Makan, born in 2000, first discovered judo before turning to boxing at the age of twelve, joining the Royan Club Océan (ROC). His early days worried his parents, fearing injuries. But his passion for boxing pushes him to devote all his free time to it. Thanks to his perseverance, he became French Junior Champion in 2018 in Nancy, a strong moment for him and his family present to support him. Since then, Makan has known that boxing is now his life.
Makan Traoré, the heir of the ROC
Makan Traoré perpetuates the tradition of ROC Boxe de Royan, a renowned club which has seen the birth of several French champions and won the cup for the best club in France. In 1955, Pierrot Chivilo already represented the club at the pre-Olympic training course at INSEP. Having become a coach, he guided Ali Ben Maghenia to the title of French champion, then to the Moscow Olympic Games in 1980. A story of success and passion which continues thanks to talents like Makan.
Makan Traoré seen by his teammates
Within the ROC, Makan develops strong bonds with his teammates. Zakaria Lanech, young hopeful Royan boxing, explains that “the qualification for the Makan Olympics in June 2023 is the result of many years of sacrifice and effort”. He thus underlines his exceptional qualities in training and in the ring, which will carry him through the Games in Paris in July 2024. His opponents will certainly have to be wary of “his precise distance management, his effective forearm and his devastating punch ". Privately, Makan is described as humble and kind by his friend Djai, for whom this qualification is a source of immense happiness, hoping that Makan brings home a medal.
Preparation for the Paris Olympic Games
To be in top shape for JO, Makan prepares tirelessly. In order to refine his technique, he trains intensely at Insep, the national institute of sport, expertise and performance. His days are punctuated by training sessions and fights, which he continues after training at altitude in Colombia and in opposition to Cuba. After his victory in the boxing gala on May 4, 2024 at the Espace Cordouan in Royan, Makan flies to Thailand to complete his preparation. As July approaches, the pressure mounts: he must be ready to fight while avoiding injuries.
Finally, Makan Traoré lost in the round of 16 of the Paris Olympic Games against the Dane Nikolaï Terteryan. Congratulations for this first participation in the Olympics!
In the footsteps of Charline Picon
With Makan Traoré, Charline Picon reveals itself as another source of pride for Atlantic Royan.
She started windsurfing at age 11. In 2006, she joined the French team. In 2012, Charline Picon participated in the London Olympic Games. She then finished in 8th place in the RS category (windsurfing). In 2016, during the Rio Olympic Games, she became Olympic champion. After this victory, the Ronce-les-Bains nautical base is baptized in his name. For Charline, “It’s a great recognition, where it all began! ". In 2018, in Denmark, Charline Picon became vice-world champion. On August 31, 2021, she won the RS final and became Olympic vice-champion in Tokyo. This is how Charline becomes the first French double medalist in sailing.
Despite these successes, she is not satisfied with two medals. She is launching a new challenge: changing disciplines and trying the 49er FX. In duo with Sarah Steyaert, they dream of a new medal in Paris.
A successful bet for Charline Picon and her teammate: they won the Bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the Women's double dinghy category!
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