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| French triple jumper Yoann Rapinier will be one of the main title contenders at the European Athletics U23 Championships in Ostrava in July. |
French tripling jumping is enjoying some great times at the moment. Not only is the 2010 European Athletics Rising Star of the Teddy Tamgho leading the way with three world records during the indoor season, Les Bleus can also boast of Yoann Rapinier wearing their colours.
The 21-year-old from Pointoise, in the suburbs of Paris, finished fourth at the 2011 European Athletics Indoor Championships.
Rising to the occasion at his first major senior championships, having finished ninth at the 2009 European Athletics Junior Championships, Rapinier registered three personal best leaps in Paris.
He bounded out to 17.04m in qualifying, 17.15m in the first round of the final and then followed that up with 17.23m in the second round, which secured him fourth place.
Rapinier is now inevitably being looked upon as one of the main contenders for a medal at the European Athletics U23 Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic, in July.
In an interview first published on the French athletics federation website www.athle.com, he reflected on his Paris performance and what the future might hold for him.
Q: Have you yet digested your fourth place at the 2011 European Athletics Indoor Championships?
A: It was my first major tournament with cameras everywhere, photographers, a replay on TV and all my friends in the stands. I had to take a good week off to disconnect afterwards. I’m sure it will be remembered by me as one of the highlights of my life, getting a personal best in my international senior debut.
Q: Was finishing just off the podium frustrating?
A: I left Bercy (the venue for the 2011 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Paris) with no regrets because I gave everything I had. I do not think I could give any more although, when one looks at the video, you always see things that could have been improved upon.
Q: You have clearly turned a corner this winter; what are your thoughts on this, looking back?
A: Technically, the key moment was held at the national indoor championships in Aubière, where I went over 17 metres for the first time (with a jump of 17.02m). To go beyond this barrier, I needed to be in the right place and to jump with the minimum of errors. I beat my personal best again at Bercy but on this occasion it was the public which pushed me to go so far. I also thank the France team coach, Ghani Yalouz, and my own personal coach (Antony Yaich). They were there for me.
Q: You are a late arrival to the triple jump, aren’t you?
A: I’ve only really specialized in the event for two years. In fact, I even changed my take off leg a year-and-a-half ago, changing from the right leg to the left leg so there are still things to work on in every phase. I consider that I am still very far from being at a good level. I still have much to learn from athletes like Teddy (Tamgho), Christian Olsson and Nelson ‰vora.
Q: How do you view Teddy Tamgho?
A: I try to think of him as a rival, someone who I want to beat in competition. However, when I look at him, I see that there are many things that I need to learn. He’s also a bit of an example for me.
Q: What are your strengths? Your running speed?
A: Actually, I'm not very fast. I still have much to improve upon in this area because I do not have the qualities of a natural sprinter. And I also have a bit of the body of shrimp! I also lack of power. However, I’m good at using and combining what I have and I wasn’t a bad high jumper (Rapinier won the French indoor junior high jump title in 2008 and has a best of 2.15m). This is what has allowed me to get to this point with a minimum of energy, although they are very different disciplines.
Q: Any regrets about moving from the high jump to the triple jump?
A: In my heart, I remain a high jumper. I keep having this feeling, whenever I pass a (high jump) bar. It’s an event I can’t escape from but, apparently, I'm made for the triple jump! I also ran the 400m for a while and I do miss these disciplines.
Q: You have a good group training with your coach Antony Yaich, with Guy-Elphège Anouman (the holder of the world youth indoor best over 200m) and many others. How does it work?
A: We all motivate each other even if we do not practice the same disciplines. In fact, we are friends before being comrades in athletics. This is our big ‘plus’, which allows us to do well.
Q: The summer is approaching, with the World Championships in Daegu (South Korea). How do you see the months ahead?
A: I do not really have goals in terms of competitions. It's more that I want to make progress with my performance first. My first competition will be the Samsung Diamond League meeting in Doha, if I am accepted. I've competed against (Cuba’s Yoandri) Betanzos, Teddy and others before but I had less ability than today. I'll come up with some better weapons and I'll take a little revenge! I also want to be consistent over 17 metres this summer.