"My goal: to join INSEP!"

INTERVIEW - Clément Dorigo is currently participating in the Cadet/Junior World Championships in Bourges. A few years ago, he won the Porthos Tournament.

Photo : Augusto BIZZI

What was your training club, and where do you train today?
I started fencing at the age of 8 in Chantilly. Today, I am a member of the Amiens Métropole Fencing Club.

How do you balance fencing and school?
Very well. I’m part of the Reims Training Center, so I have a tailored schedule. Before that, I was a boarder in Amiens, where I trained in the evenings after school two to three times a week. Now, I train three to four times a week.

What made you start fencing?
I discovered fencing in primary school, where it was taught for one term. I really enjoyed it and decided to join a club.

And what made you want to continue practicing?
What made me want to continue was the all-encompassing nature of the sport: the technical aspect, which is very important in fencing, the tactical side, the physical demands, and the competition. I later discovered the psychological aspect as well.

What do you think of the Porthos tournament, and how did you feel about your victory?
It’s excellent, different, and stimulating! It was a great satisfaction because I originally entered the competition just to have fun with its new concept, without focusing on winning. It’s not like winning a traditional competition—the stress is higher throughout the bout. You know you can’t make a single mistake and must stay very focused to succeed.

Do you think luck plays a role in the Porthos tournament?
Luck is likely a small but non-negligible part of the game since it only takes one touch to win. However, it’s not essential. It’s about who is the most precise, the quickest, and the “smartest.” Perhaps also the one who dares the most.

Would you be willing to defend your title in your current category?
Without hesitation!

What is the main goal of your season, and what are your longer-term ambitions?
To join INSEP! To earn senior World Cup selections and become part of the French Senior National Team, aiming to win medals in various international championships.