Comeback mother Anett Meszaros has her eye on the Tokyo Olympics

Recently Anett Meszaros made her comeback at the European Cup in Bratislava where she took a silver medal in the final against tatami. She gave birth to her son Bojan and now she is back, what a surprise comeback for the four times World Championships medallist and former World Junior CHampion. Our colleagues of Judoinfo interview Meszaros.

It was quite a surprise for us.

"I went back to Honvéd for about three weeks ago. Of course I have goals, but I just do the initial steps. This competition in Bratislava was also a test, but it was surprised to be so successful.

A three years gap is a long time. When was the point you were missing judo?

"I think I needed exactly these three years to process my failures, cure my injuries, and feel the deficit. Of course I did not spend these three years in vain, I think a year and a half ago, my little boy, Bojan, who is starting the nursery now. As the family has given me a blessing on my return, and everybody supports it, so now I have more time to rebuild my athlete's career.

How was the surprise in Hungary from your team mates.

“They were surprised. They thought I had come down a little bit as a mother, really no one thought I had any serious plans, my Olympic dreams. I'm still in the process of recovery, because I had four training sessions a week so far, now that Bojan has been at crèche, I obviously have more opportunities. The return did not shake me because I really enjoyed the training, the throws went well, obviously the technique had to be polished but I did not lose the feeling with the tatami.”

You now compete U78kg will this be your category.

"Yes that will remain so. Obviously, this is a bit different from the weight class, it must be physically stronger, but the actions are not so spin-off. I think it will be right for me. “

How much did you change these three years given your motherhood?

“A lot. I got rid of it, I'm more balanced. I did not become a mother-in-law, but I'm really much more responsive to certain situations, and maybe disappointments and failures would bring me quite differently than I used to. Now my family, is waiting for me and I have to come home.”

Bratislava was a good confirmation. What is the next step?

“I do not know yet, we have to talk to my coach. The goal, of course, is Tokyo, the Olympics, because although I was a European champion and world champion silver medalist, the Olympic Games have only brought me a failure experience. Bratislava has shown me that I can fight heartily. And getting started is good, is not it?”

Who are the rivals in Hungary U78kg?

“There are three Hungarian women in this category in the latest world ranking. Abigail Erdélyi-Joó, who is preparing for the birth, is ranked 22 in the World Ranking. Evelin Salánki is 56th, while Fanni Toth is still junior booking good results.”

Read the full interview in Hungarian here