Seven seasons and seven appearances for Jean Tezenas du Montcelfirst ninja warrior of France ! If he lost last year against Clement Gravel, the 33-year-old champion is, this Saturday January 14, 2023, back in the casting of the TF1 obstacle course orchestrated by Denis Brogniart, Iris Mittenaere and Christophe Beaugrand. A dedicated eveningto records” with the greatest champions in the history of the game and many sportsmen. Is he aiming for revenge or the simple pleasure of surpassing himself, while the young generation of Ninjas impresses? The Haut-Savoyard gave us an interview .
“I’m trying to defend my titles in ninja warrior“
Tele-Leisure : This is your 7th participation in ninja warrior. What still pushes you to retry the adventure?
Jean Tezenas du Montcel: Like every year, I meet hyper-interesting people on the spot and with atypical lives. All of this takes me out of my daily life. And then this challenge and competition side amuses me.
Last year, you told us that he was for you “wasting time“. At 33, do you feel the next generation is taking over?
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I never came over ninja warrior telling myself that I was going to win. But I’m trying to defend my titles. I’m pretty happy to stay at a good level. If I say I’m getting old, it’s to find an excuse. In truth, when I train with the youngest and strongest in France, like Clément Gravier, there is actually not too much of a difference in level. He is very strong on certain movements, I on others. But there is beginning to be a seesaw. If we take the average, Clément starts to be stronger, especially since he trains like crazy and I don’t really. But it’s okay, the difference is not yet horrible! (laughs)
“Clément and Antoine Gravier organized a huge party”
You say you haven’t really trained this season…
No, I destroyed all my training retyping my house. It’s the worst thing I could do! (laughs) But beware, training is not everything. There is also a large part of predisposition.
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Have you again found the fraternal spirit between candidates behind the scenes?
Yes, it does not change. Especially since with seven participations, I know a lot of people. It’s funny, this year I arrived well before the shooting and as I didn’t have a room yet, I shared Charles Pujol’s. And then we also have parties between us. The Gravier brothers threw a huge party with fifteen people! (laughs) The atmosphere is really great.
This season, in addition to physical strength and speed, memory comes into play with the Memory Tower…
I must admit that I was very motivated and excited by this novelty! It’s nice that it’s happening again. The candidates welcomed this novelty rather well..
“I would like to participate in a program that pushes me to my limits”
The ascent record of the Tower of Heroes is held by a German, in 22 seconds. In your opinion, are we reaching a human physical limit on this event?
I do not think so. But it’s like the sprint in athletics: at the beginning there were big gaps and now they are fighting for hundredths. To me, that doesn’t really make sense anymore.
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After Fort Boyardwould you like to participate in other sports or adventure programs like Koh Lanta, Beijing Express ?
Yes I might be interested. I was offered to do District Z on TF1 but I had a schedule problem. In the end it wasn’t a bad thing as they canceled the show (laughs) I would like to participate in a program that pushes me to my limits. A really hard thing where we are dropped naked in the jungle with a machete (laughs) So far I haven’t been offered much, but I’m not chasing after that.
