Maude Charron on the attack for Paris 2024

After a break from training where she completed her training as a police officer and a period of reflection, Maude Charron decided that she was diving for a new Olympic cycle which will take her to the 2024 Games in Paris.

Maude Charron on the attack for Paris 2024

After a break from training where she completed her training as a police officer and a period of reflection, Maude Charron decided that she was diving for a new Olympic cycle which will take her to the 2024 Games in Paris.

Gold medalist in the under 64 kg category at the Tokyo Games last summer, the weightlifter does not hide the fact that she had serious challenges after experiencing the pinnacle in Japan.

"I asked myself questions and wondered if I still felt like training and sacrificing everything for my sport for three years," explained Charron. After living the Olympic experience and reaching the top in Tokyo, did I still have the flame to continue? The answer is yes. »

This period of questioning away from the limelight has done great good to the pride of Sainte-Luce-sur-Mer, which has never sought the spotlight.

"I needed to be away from the reflectors," she admitted. This period did me good. I play sports because I like sports and not to receive attention. In deciding to continue for another Olympic cycle, I had to do it for myself and not to impress. »

Upon her return from the Japanese capital, Charron joined the École nationale de police du Québec (ENPQ), in Nicolet, from September to the end of January.

"It was a very different experience from sports," she said. I needed to change the world. I only trained once a week and didn't think about my future in sport. All my energies were devoted to succeeding in my training and I succeeded. »

During his training, however, Charron made an important observation.

"I was bored of training," she said. It was a signal that I still loved my sport. I resumed training gradually, going with loads that weren't super heavy. I love the lifestyle of an athlete and I missed taking care of my body. »

Significant change

Last weekend, in Kelowna, at the Canadian championships, Charron played his first competition since the provincials last November. She captured a sixth straight national title and was voted the competition's Most Outstanding Female Athlete.

"Considering the physical shape I'm in right now, I'm happy with my performance," she said. I leave on Monday for a week-long camp with the Canadian team in Sweden in preparation for the Commonwealth Games. »

While competing in her usual category in Birmingham, England in July, the Tokyo Games gold medalist will experience a big change when she begins the selection process for Paris. Because the IOC removed categories from the Paris schedule, she must choose between under 59kg and under 71kg.

“I will find myself completely elsewhere, in another world, she imagined. It will be very different Games and my environment will change. I have to lose 10 kg or gain 15. This is a very drastic change. I need to figure out what is the healthiest and safest option for me. I will have to get up at night to eat or always be hungry. It's a huge change. I am able to do it for a competition, but it is very different to do it for a two-year period. A nutritionist will follow me so that everything is done in a safe way so that I don't get sick or hurt myself. »

After the Commonwealth Games where she won gold in 2018 in Australia, Charron will turn to the worlds which will take place from December 1 to 10 in Colombia.

"I have already qualified for worlds at -64 kg and I will have to find another selection competition if I change categories," she explained. It is possible that I will stay in the under 64 kg for the world and that I will make the change only from January 2023. I would be less rushed in time. »

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