In the Vert-Bois gymnasium, the atmosphere is focused. Maëlisse Monteiro, under the watchful eye of Sébastien Croix, president of RAC Lutte, is finalizing the last details before her training session. For the young athlete, the club is a second home, a place where she spends most of her free time between studies and her passion for wrestling.
This month marks a turning point in her career: Maëlisse will join Insep (National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance). There, she will become a training partner for the French national wrestling team, a crucial step towards the professional world. 'I can't wait. I only have one life, I want to enjoy it!' she exclaims enthusiastically.
Her wrestling journey began nine years ago, almost by chance, in 2017. Her brother, Mattéo, then a judoka, introduced her to the sport after watching the World Championships in Paris. 'He told me, "Come try." I followed him,' says Maëlisse, who has been with the club ever since.
Last March, in Mulhouse, Maëlisse won the French Championships in the under-20 category. Her victory in the final was secured by a complex technique, pinning her opponent's shoulders to the mat, a move she managed to execute despite her opponent's awareness. This decisive moment, filmed, allowed her to grasp the magnitude of her achievement.
Her wrestling style, focusing on the upper body and arm drags, is reminiscent of Greco-Roman wrestling, according to Sébastien Croix. Her brother Mattéo, who became African champion for Cape Verde, is pursuing his studies and training at an American university while remaining registered with RAC Lutte for national competitions. Maëlisse also benefits from the advice of her coaches Ivan and Florian.
At the club, training sessions combine cardio, explosiveness, and repetitions. Maëlisse appreciates being treated 'the same as the boys.' Ivan highlights her 'potential,' her 'natural strength, tenacity, and strong mentality,' while Florian believes she has the 'potential to achieve places' at the international level.
Beyond her French championship title, Maëlisse has overcome the challenges of high school, her baccalaureate exams, periods of stagnation, and injuries. 'I felt my level was stagnating. I wondered how to improve. Sometimes I didn't feel like it anymore, but I didn't give up,' she confides. Fatigue and the fear of re-injury have marked her journey.
At 19, she now approaches competitions with more composure and pleasure. 'I operate on the principle that I might not be here tomorrow. So I approach each training session as if it were my last,' she explains. Pleasure has become her priority, an approach that has helped her feel mentally stronger.
RAC Lutte, with nearly 200 members, will closely follow her progress at Insep. Maëlisse remains registered with the club, and her next goal is already set: the European Championships.
