2023-11-15 19:30:00
It’s a radical choice but an opportunity that he had to seize. Mickael Zeze will cross the Atlantic on Sunday to settle in Clermont (Florida). Under the sun of the American Southwest, where he will stay until May, the adopted Mandolocian will not be on vacation. Eight months before the Paris Olympic Games (July 26-August 11, 2024), the original Norman will train in Lance Brauman’s group. On the banks of Lake Minnahaha, 40km east of Orlando, the 29-year-old sprinter will rub shoulders with the man who is presented as the best coach on the planet. He will share the track with Noah Lyles, Wayde Van Niekerk and Miller-Uibo, three big names who have four Olympic medals and nine world titles. This sacrifice has only one objective: to win a medal at the Olympics.
Mickael, why are you going to the United States?
Besides (Ryan) trains in Texas and he had been talking to me about moving to the United States for a while. Considering my results at the last French championships (4th breaststroke 100m in 10”27 and 3rd du 200m in 20”66), I sat down with my girlfriend and we said it was the best solution. I really had to explore my full potential and I was very limited in France. For Paris, I need to be in the best conditions. I am almost 30 years old and I am reaching the end of my career. I want to know how far I can go.
Juggling between different training sites, from Mandelieu (where his family lives) to Antony via Les Ulis or INSEP, was it becoming exhausting?
Last year, I paid a contract to train at Antony (Hauts-de-Seine) but there were a lot of internal problems between the club and my coach (Elliot Draper). We were encouraged to train in Les Ulis, 45 minutes by RER from my home. I had committed to this project but the plans were constantly revised.
How was your first meeting with Lance Brauman last summer at the World Championships in Budapest?
I had already contacted him on social networks. He answered me straight away and we saw each other at the Worlds. I met a simple and decent man. I explained my plan to him: run fast and join his group. I told him about my season and where I came from. I don’t know if he knew me, but he told me he was interested in my profile. He took the time to see if there was room in his group and I received positive feedback after a month.
Did he impress you?
No way (laugh). I already wanted to change coaches two years ago and he interested me. What spurred me on was his success with Lyles, a very elastic athlete who had done a high jump like me. Plyometrics (bodybuilding focused on muscle tone) and speed endurance, these are things I need to work on, especially at the end of the race. That’s what we’re going to do. The training doesn’t change much from Elliot’s but we load a lot more weight training. I went from three sessions per week to a full week of weight training. In terms of land, I do a series of climbs of 200 and 300m. The work of the body is complete. I am already filling some deficits (on his hamstrings in particular). Good physical preparation will make the difference.
“When we get closer to champions, we become them”
Do you think you will find your 2022 level?
Being able to train with athletes stronger than me will push me to push myself to my limits. I will have a visual to know where I am. On the logistical and competition aspects, everything will be taken care of. I will no longer have to tell myself how I am going to go to this competition, to do this or that. I think I made the right choice.
How will you manage being away from your family and your 5-year-old son?
This is one more concession to achieve my goals. It will of course be difficult. He wanted to go with me but I told him it wasn’t possible and he understood why I was doing it. Liam and Maëlle (his son and his partner) will stay in Mandelieu and I will try to come back and say hello to them by February. I’m going on a mission. I made up my mind to leave.
How do you approach your daily life with Lyles or Van Niekerk?
The more I hear about it, the more I think it’s crazy. (laugh). But beyond the athletes I will meet, I first focus on the coach’s methods. This is what will allow me to change dimension. Training with the guys will be a plus, but I’m not going to tremble next to them, I’ll stay in my lane. I will still learn a lot alongside them. When we get closer to champions, we become them. Those who won have a different mentality.
Why did you choose to remain licensed in Mandelieu?
Because I am faithful (laugh). We have put together a story that should take us at least to the Games. When I was struggling, they believed in my project and they are 200% behind me. This goes beyond athletics. They allowed me to get up. We can talk about a second family.
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