Team France has surpassed all reasonable expectations of success for a country in which full contact MMA cannot be practised, and in which team selections can only be carried out through tough training sessions. The team is ranked 5th in the world in the IMMAF World Amateur MMA rankings and its athletes have performed notably well in IMMAF international competitions, with gold medallist Iurie Bejenari most notably siezing the number one spot in the men’s flyweight division. The 2015 IMMAF World Championships also saw Lucie Bertaud take silver at women’s bantamweight, Nicolas Ott win bronze at featherweight and Allan Guichard bronze at heavyweight. The inaugural 2014 Championships saw the team scoop two bronze medals as Florence Bethert placed 3rd in the women’s featherweight division and Guillaume Bletio matched her in the men’s lightweight category. The French team for the Europeans includes a diverse spread of athletes from across France, and the squad will be travelling over in the wake of the alarming terrorist attacks that hit their home country yesterday. IMMAF’s President Kerrith Brown spoke on behalf of the IMMAF Board in extending condolences to Team France and to the French people: “Our heartfelt thoughts are with our members in France and with the the French people. We offer our deepest condolences for those who have died and sympathies for those who have been injured or affected by the Paris attacks. We hope, in our hearts, that none of the French team have been affected and our thoughts are with them as they travel to the UK to compete next week during a time of heightened security and alarm. We wish them safe and undisrupted travels.” Team France for the 2015 IMMAF European Open Championships introduce themselves below to French journalist Julien Brondani: [/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block title=”Aurore Quintin – Women’s Lightweight: -70.3 kg (155 lbs)” pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] 
25 years old “With a national level in judo, I moved into MMA few months ago. I wish to represent the French colors and reach the number one spot during the European Open in Birmingham. I want to be the leader of this new women’s lightweight division. I train two times a day, 6 days a week. I’m hungry and I want to give my best during the Open. I’m ready for the show! My motto is “Train more than yesterday, and less than tomorrow.” Twitter: @AuroreQuintin [/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block title=”Céline Provost – Women’s Featherweight: -65.8 kg (145 lbs)” icon=”Céline Provost – Women’s Featherweight: -65.8 kg (145 lbs)” pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] [caption id="attachment_7088" align="alignright" width="208"]
Céline Provost[/caption] 30 years old “I was born in Paris and have been living in Gennevilliers (suburbs of Paris) for 30 years. I’m an English teacher at the University of Cergy where I teach both students preparing for Higher National Degrees in Marketing and Multimedia and students preparing for vocational Bachelors degrees in Distribution and Customer Service. Before becoming a a mixed martial artist I was a high jumper and quite good at it, but I got injured pretty badly during the French Championships in 2004 and it crushed my dream of becoming an elite athlete in the sport. It took me a while to recover from my injury and thus after such a drawback I decided to start practicing kick boxing at Clichy. Since then, I have been into MMA for 4 years and being part of the French team is a blessing that rewards all the hard work and dedication I have put in over the past year. “I want to prove to myself and others that I’m the best striker in the game! I’m the tallest for sure and I’ll show how good I am on my feet. I’m not the best on the ground but my long legs turn me into an octopus so beware, because I might catch you and break you down. I’m here to win.” [/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block title=”Morgane Manfredi – Women’s Strawweight: -52.2 kg (115 lbs)” icon=”Morgane Manfredi – Women’s Strawweight: -52.2 kg (115 lbs)” pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] 
25 years old “Born in the east (Besancon), I’m now living in Grenoble. I worked in building for many years but this year I decided to going back to school. I am studying to become a physical trainer. I started martial arts in Romania 4 years ago and one year after returning to France, I started to compete in Muay Thai, Bjj and grappling. I really want to compete in MMA so my I feel very lucky about my selection for the French national team. For me this European Open will be the perfect test . I just want to push my limits and show my skills to everyone. I’m ready to shock the world. I’m just so excited.” [/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block title=”Guillaume “The French touch” Blétio – Lightweight: -70.3 kg (155 lbs)” icon=”Guillaume “The French touch” Blétio – Lightweight: -70.3 kg (155 lbs)” pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] [caption id="attachment_7094" align="alignright" width="208"]
Guillaume Bletio[/caption] 30 years old Guillaume works in banking in one of the major companies in Paris. Last year, he won a bronze medal in Las Vegas in the inaugural 2014 IMMAF World Championships. He lost the medal this year in the 2015 IMMAF Worlds, and so he’s very hungry now very excited about the European Open. Guillaume is very proud to be representing the national flag for the third time. [/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block title=”Chaker Alouni – Welterweight: -77.1 kg (170 lbs)” pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] [caption id="attachment_7095" align="alignleft" width="208"]
Chaker Alouni[/caption] 26 years old “Born in El Eulma (Algeria), I live in Courbevoie (close to Paris). I’m working as an energy engineer. I began Karaté at 12 but I gave up a few years later until I was 22. I have really fallen in love with MMA so I want to show off my skills during the IMMAF European Open. I want to be the first in my division. I hope to experience a personal journey. I feel blessed by this opportunity.” [/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block title=”Berta Correia – Flyweight: -56.7 kg (125 lbs)” pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] [caption id="attachment_7096" align="alignright
" width="208"]
Berta Correia[/caption] 28 years old “I was born in Reims and I am still living there. I’m working as a driver. Before MMA I practised different martial arts…capoeira (2 years), Muay Thai (3 years), krav maga and pancrase. I want to compete as a professional. This is my biggest dream so I want to win this tournament for me and my country. For me belong to this team is an honour. I’m so proud of that. Thank you to CFMMA and IMMAF for this opportunity!” [/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block title=”Walid Nezar – Lightweight: -70.3 kg (155 lbs)” pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] [caption id="attachment_7097" align="alignleft" width="348"]
Walid Nezar[/caption] 26 years old Walid was born in France and grew up in Bornel where he learned judo. As a real challenger in every day life and on the tatami, working in the real estate sector and coaching within the KBP club, he aims at getting his opponent in a lock and, above all, proving a success in the upcoming European Open Championships in Birmingham. [/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block title=”Sofiane “Lion of Reims ” Aissaoui – Middleweight: -83.9 kg (185 lbs)” pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] [caption id="attachment_7098" align="alignright" width="208"]
Sofiane Aissaoui[/caption] 25 years old Sofiane is a pure product of French judo, with a brave heart and courage. He grew up in Reims and now lives close to the Belgium border. Sofiane is one of the natural leaders of the team. He works as a social educator. “This summer, I fought only once in Las Vegas so I came back to France defeated. I have trained a lot for the European Open. I have worked on my weaknesses. Today I am stronger than ever.” [/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block title=”Team France Coaches:” pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] David-Pierre Louis A sports teacher in Paris, David is a BJJ black belt and one of the best specialists in the ground game in Europe. He is a national champion (Gi, No-Gi) and winner of the Accord Games in Beijing. Marc Marie-Louise Mental coach, Marc is a true legend of martial arts in France and one of its biggest pioneers. He is a champion in Sambo and Brazilian jiu jitsu. Estelle Peyen Estelle is the team dietician. She works with famous athletes in Paris. Follow Team France on Facebook or Twitter at @contact_cfmma ]]>
As French team prepares for Europeans, IMMAF offers condolences for Paris Attack
