We caught up with judoka Aden-Alexandre Houssein during his Olympic training. Join us as he talks about the African Judo Championships and Games, the importance of mental resilience, how he adapts his judo techniques to opponents’ styles, and balances his training with business studies.
Who is Aden-Alexandre Houssein?
Aden-Alexandre Houssein was born on 28 March 1998 in Compiègne, France. He competes in the -73 kg weight category in Judo.
Judoka Aden-Alexandre Houssein earned bronze medals at the 2019 and 2020 African Judo Championships held in Cape Town, South Africa, and Antananarivo, Madagascar, respectively. He also won bronze at the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco, and the 2023 African Games in Accra, Ghana. In 2024, he secured another bronze medal at the Senior Africa Championships in Cairo, Egypt.
In addition to his continental successes, Aden has represented Djibouti in multiple World Judo Championships: in Tokyo, Japan (2019), Budapest, Hungary (2021), Doha, Qatar (2023), and Abu Dhabi, UAE (2024). He also competed in the men’s 73 kg event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
The Men’s 73kg in Paris 2024 starts 28th July, and Houssein takes on Hristov in the first round.
Aden-Alexandre Houssein Interview
Can you tell us about the moment you first discovered judo and what drew you to the sport?
I started judo at 4 years old. I was a little hyperactive at that age, and I lived in a small town in France. Few sports clubs accepted children aged 4, but among those that did, there was judo, which allowed me to expend my energy.
Who were the key figures or mentors in your early judo career that helped shape your path?
My judo teacher, Michel Lebrun, was an example in my career. He passed on to me this passion for judo and also for high-level sport. It was essential to be in a club where I felt good.
Where do you currently train, and what does your typical training regimen look like?
I train mainly in Paris, more precisely at the Montreuil club. But 2 years before the Paris Olympic Games, I was able to go and train in Hungary for 6 months and then in Japan this year for 5 months. In general, I do 2 training sessions per day with physical preparation in the morning and judo in the evening.
How do you adapt your judo techniques to match the different styles and strengths of your opponents?
My style of judo is more fluid, with a strong kumi kata (how to catch the judogi). I also use my opponents’ reactions to attack, which allows me to have a head start.
How has your training environment and support system contributed to your success in judo?
I look for training places where I feel good, particularly mentally. It’s in these places that I progress the best. The atmosphere and kindness are essential.
How do you manage injuries and ensure you’re fully recovered before returning to training?
I think judo is a sport where you get injured a lot. You must be able to judge the seriousness of the injury and not hesitate to consult a doctor. If the injury is serious, you shouldn’t be afraid to stop training. On the other hand, if it isn’t serious, you must know how to tolerate the pain and continue training.
What recovery practices or rituals do you follow to maintain peak performance?
I use temperature variations between hot and cold a lot for recovery, such as saunas and cold baths.
How do you balance your life outside of judo with your training and competition schedule?
I’m continuing my studies in business school at EM Grenoble, which are organized according to my competitions and training. It’s an online training course for high-level athletes up to the Master’s degree. I can follow my courses from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.
What was it like representing Djibouti at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo? How did you prepare for the event?
It was a great honour and pride to represent my country of origin, especially since I was the flag bearer. It was a difficult time training with Covid, but I found places to train in Paris.
Although you were eliminated in your second match, what positive takeaways did you have from the Olympic experience?
Despite the elimination, I had an incredible experience. Even being able to fight for so long against the reigning world champion was a form of success for me.
How are you preparing for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics? Are there any specific training routines or strategies you’re focusing on?
I work a lot on strategy to avoid taking penalties because today the penalties come very quickly, and it would be very frustrating to lose because of that.
What are your goals for the Paris 2024 Olympics, and how do you plan to achieve them?
The goal is to have fun and enjoy every moment. No pressure needed, and I’ll pretend it’s a normal competition.
What do you believe are the key qualities or skills that make a successful judoka?
To be a good judoka, I think you need discipline and above all love to push your limits and endure the pain.
How has the sport of judo evolved since you started, and where do you see it heading in the future?
When I was a teenager, there was a ban on touching the legs which completely changed judo. Now I have the impression that we want a more classic judo and more on the attack by imposing penalties quickly. But in the end, it has the opposite effect; the judokas seek to give penalties to their opponents.
Who are your role models in the sport of judo, and how have they influenced your career?
I would say Asmaa Niang, who is also my friend. She started judo very late after 20 years and reached a phenomenal level thanks to her perseverance and discipline.
Can you share a memorable moment from your judo career that has had a significant impact on you?
My first continental medal in Cape Town was the start of an adventure. Thanks to this, I was able to be selected for several competitions such as the Tokyo Olympic Games.
What advice would you give to young judokas in Djibouti and around the world who aspire to compete at an international level?
Believe in your dreams, believe in yourself, and train hard.
How important is mental resilience in judo, and how do you work on maintaining it?
For me, the mental part represents 90% of sporting performance in judo. Before beating your opponent, you must fight against yourself. To work on this, I collaborate with a mental trainer.
How has African culture and upbringing influenced your approach to judo and your overall mindset as an athlete?
When you’re an African judoka, you learn to be autonomous. We often go without staff to competitions all over the world. We must at the same time be an athlete, coach, physiotherapist, and mental trainer.
How do African judo competitions compare to those on the global stage, and what can be done to raise the level of competition within the continent?
I would say that the organization is different; non-African countries rarely travel to these competitions. However, African judo is very different and can surprise many fighters. African tournaments should be made more attractive by awarding them more points for the ranking list.
In your opinion, how can judo be promoted more effectively within African communities to increase its popularity and participation?
We’re in the era of social networks, so promoting judo via the most used social networks is key.
What kind of legacy do you hope to leave in the world of judo, and how do you want to be remembered?
I want to show that African judo has its place on the international scene and that Djibouti can be a sporting country.
Athlete Aden-Alexandre Houssein, -73kg Lightweight Judoka representing Djibouti.
Instagram: @alexhoussein | Facebook: @alexandre.houssein
- Interviewed by Anastasia-Alexandra Nenova
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