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De gauche à droite - From left to right : Gaétan Mary, Raphaël Pauchet, Jean-Christophe Ono-Dit-Bio, Thomas Guyon, Corentin Durant, Léo Gury, Wassim (coach), Hubert Sizaret, Anthony Janin, Simon Kulifaj, Thibault Jauzein, Vincent Miralles - Nos handballeurs Crédits : ESPCI ParisTechThey’re names are Gaétan, Raphaël, Léo or Vincent… They are handballers and champions of the ParisTech Tournament. Spotlight on the feat achieved by their team last autumn, a resounding success which illustrates the dynamism of the Bureau of Sports, the competitive spirit of our engineering students and the atmosphere which exists on campus.
1 competition, 12 schools, 9 disciplines
The ParisTech Tournament? “It’s one of the undeniable highlights of sporting life at ESPCI,” says Anthony Janin, member of the Bureau of Sports and handballer. Each autumn, the schools of the ParisTech network compete on all fields: football, volleyball, basketball, handball, rugby sevens, athletics, swimming… Without forgetting the band and cheerleader events. Did you know that the ESPCI cheerleaders swept to victory in the competition at the 2011 meeting? The sport is particularly well represented at the School. Naturally, the classes are small, but is nothing to prevent ESPCI ParisTech from fielding strong teams in all disciplines of the tournament.
An opportunity to seize
« “Competing against the other schools is essential for gauging one’s level and progress” explains Elodie Chaudan, also a member of the BoS. “And this tournament has precisely the right layout.” It gathers teams from a number of Grandes Ecoles of different sizes with varying skills. So, at the start of this academic year, ESPCI ParisTech entered the competition buoyed up with good results achieved a few months before.
A triumph
On 12 October 2012, under a grey sky, our engineering students shone.
First, the male basketball and rugby players had very good results. Then, at the end of the day, our mail handball team won a resounding victory.
After topping the pool with victories over Chimie Paris (9-0) and HEC (8-2), the team continued to progress to the final. By that time, all the other competition being completed, a large number of engineering students were present: supporters attending the tournament, other players, as well as the cheerleaders, who supported their team tirelessly.
Our handballers then came up against the team from the Ponts et Chaussées. It was a tough match, and although the ESPCI players started well, and dominated the match and lead until the equaliser… twenty seconds from the end. In the tense atmosphere, the spectators were waiting for extra time. But suddenly, with five seconds left on the clock, Thomas Guyon (130th class) seized his chance, shot and scored. The crowd went wild. “Everybody, all the supporters, the cheerleaders… They all invaded the pitch,” recall Anthony and Elodie, still delighted. The ESPCI team had taken a title at the ParisTech Tournament for only the second time in their history.
How to compete with the bigger schools? “That day, our team deserved to win,” calmly explains Thomas Guyon, member of the BoS and seasoned handballer. “Its strength undoubtedly lies in an integrated nucleus, with players who know each other very well bedded in from their first year at the School.” A number of them have already reached to a high level: National Division 2, regional teams… Others are beginners but are motivated and dedicated to group, spurred on by the recent arrival of a coach. “Our coach helps us keep focussed when times are hard. This is a great boon to improvement and solid training,” emphasises Thomas.
The Bureau of Sports sees its efforts rewarded
A key player in the student life at ESPCI, the BoS enables students to compete and represent their school. Its prime mission? Access to sport for all, in as many sporting disciplines as possible. The organisation has in fact helped in the creation of teams or clubs. It also facilitates gym reservations and promotes coaching. “We benefit from very favourable rates thanks to the City of Paris. This is an advantage which other schools in the city do not enjoy,” stresses Elodie, “and the handballers’ victory is a great encouragement for the entire organisation” she acknowledges with a smile. The BoS also arranges team participation in sporting events throughout the year. These include the inter-school tournaments:
– The Challenge Centrale Lyon,
– The Inter Chimie Tournament
– The TOSS
– The Grandes Ecoles World Challenge
Last but not least, the organisation runs a sporting afternoon for the new students, the inter-class tournament (in which the researchers and teachers also take part) and the skiing week… which is nearly upon us!
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