Reigning World heavyweight champion and world n°1, Jonathan Horne has a long history with the European championships. 5 gold and 3 bronze medals have marked his career. His last title dates back to 2016 but the German fighter has never appeared so strong and is targets to win a 6th title in Guadalajara (March 28-31).
By Ludovic Mauchien
What’s new ? Are you happy with your preparation ?
Nothing is new. Everything is fine. I have a good preparation this year.
How do you feel your karate ? What are your sensations ?
I think I will be able to fight the right way and to get a new medal at the Europeans.
What are your ambitions for these Europeans ?
To get my 6th gold medal.
You won 5 Gold and 3 bronze. How do you motivate yourself ?
For me, it’s like every tournament and I want to win all the time. So I don’t need a special motivation. Nothing changed. I still want to be the best and always prove it to myself.
You are the running World champion (and World n°1). Does it give you more strenght or more « problems » ?
I’m still Jonathan and it’s the same feeling. Every tournament is a new tournament.
Since your World title, you won Shanghai in the wake and, then, in Paris and Dubai, you missed the podium. What is your analysis of these performances ?
Well, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. That’s sport. In Paris, I was not in shape and, in Dubai, I missed it because of contact. And that could happen.
In Dubai, you lost against Filali. You become inseparable… Is he your main opponent ?
No. He is a good fighter but not my main opponent.
What would be a dreamt final for you ?
I already got my dream final last year in Madrid (against Iran’s Ganjzadeh).
If I say Paris 2024, what comes to your mind ?
I’m sad they decided that karate is no longer an Olympic sport. That’s not fair.