Tiếng ViệtElKherraz Hadjer, a two-time world champion, was honored to represent foreign martial artists in taking the oath at the opening ceremony of the 7th World Vovinam Championship taking place on the November 24, 2023 at Phu Tho Stadium (Ho Chi Minh City). That moment will be remembered forever by ElKherraz Hadjer. To be able to make other martial arts students in the world admire her, it was a long journey of effort for this orphan girl.
ElKherraz Hadjer happy smile as she stepped onto the podium to take the oath. – Photo: QUANG THINH
Dream come true
Witnessing and feeling the atmosphere of the grand opening ceremony for the first time right in the birthplace of Vovinam martial art, ElKherraz Hadjer couldn’t help but be excited and emotional.
Having been acquainted with Vovinam since 2007 when the Algerian Vovinam – Viet Vo Dao Federation (AVVF) under the Algerian Ministry of Youth and Sports was established, ElKherraz never thought that one day she would come to Vietnam and take the oath before the world Vovinam community. But this girl born in 1995 was honored to be chosen. And ElKherraz has prepared carefully for the important moment of her martial arts career.
“It was like a dream that came true when I woke up. I had hoped to come to Vietnam one day, compete and make friends with other martial artists to expand my martial arts friendships. In my mind, Vietnam is a beautiful and peaceful country,” ElKherraz said.
ElKherraz’s teammates were delighted to see her receiving media attention. When reporters asked “Why was she chosen?”, Algerian Vovinam athletes proudly said: “Because ElKherraz is the most famous martial artist in Africa.”
Indeed, with two gold medals at the Vovinam World Championships in 2015 and 2019, ElKherraz is considered one of the brightest athletes of Algerian Vovinam. This petite girl, with a smile always on her lips, has very beautiful moves.
Try to rise up for the deceased father
Coming to the 7th World Vovinam Championship, ElKherraz participated in three events: “Tinh hoa luong nghi kiem phap”, “Song luyen kiem” and “female basic technical team”. The gold medal hope of Algerian Vovinam does not want to repeat the erratic cycle of only winning bronze medal in the 2017 tournament.
ElKherraz wanted to really succeed with Vovinam as a support for her family. ElKherraz is the eldest of five daughters. Her father passed away in 2011 after retiring. That was a big turning point in ElKherraz’s martial arts career.
ElKherraz’s mother, a sanitation worker, was devastated by the incident and the family of six faced many difficulties at the time. “I always told myself to be strong,” ElKherraz said. She studied biology while taking Vovinam classes to become a martial artist.
Without her father by her side, ElKherraz had to be the leader of the family. She said that later on, her four sisters all had their own development paths and none of them pursued martial arts like her. ElKherraz said Vovinam helped her become a martial arts instructor for the local police.
In addition, the two-time world champion also teaches martial arts classes for children. She helps Vovinam expand and develop the movement strongly in Algeria.
ElKherraz’s efforts are relentless, both in the ring and in social life. “Winning has an indescribable taste. It makes me always crave to win and overcome all obstacles. However, keeping myself in perfect condition is not easy,” ElKherraz shared.
After her dream of coming to Vietnam came true, ElKherraz wanted to fulfill her ambition of becoming a good Vovinam coach for the Algerian national team. That motivation helped her strive to have the most memorable memory when coming to Vietnam: A gold medal in the birthplace of Vovinam.
(Source: Tuoi Tre Newspaper)