Kintana ILTIS | Between studies, training, and roads ahead

Gaining independence to prepare for the season

Since the start of the academic year in September, the pace has picked up considerably. These first few months have been marked by constant intensity, combining classes, training, and new responsibilities. Alongside my studies, I started a part-time internship at a sports physiotherapy practice for a month.

It's an extremely rewarding experience, in which I'm learning a lot and really enjoying myself, but it requires a real ability to adapt when combined with daily training designed to prepare for the entire upcoming season. The fact that my coach is remote forces me to become more independent, to be very rigorous in organizing my weeks, and to learn to listen more to my feelings. Between managing classes, internships, and planning sessions in different gyms, I have to coordinate as best I can in order to train once, twice, or even three times a week with other athletes. Finding the right balance between schedules, training locations, and session times is a constant challenge. This period, which was physically and mentally demanding, nevertheless proved to be very formative and marked the end of the year with significant fatigue.

A constructive break in the middle of preparations

The Christmas holidays were a special break. This year, the distance, the time difference, organizational constraints, and the cost of the plane ticket prevented me from returning to see my family on my island. However, I was lucky enough to be able to spend Christmas in Toulouse with the family of a friend and teammate from the French climbing team, who generously welcomed me into their home.

I stayed there for about ten days, in a warm, welcoming, and stimulating environment. This stay was much more than just a break. It allowed me to devote time to revising for my January exams, while continuing to train seriously. I discovered new rooms, new structures, and styles of routes that were very different from those I was used to. Sharing this experience with a training partner was also a real bonus, both in terms of sport and on a personal level. Despite the fatigue of the end of the year and revising, those ten days gave me so much.

A ramp-up towards the first deadlines

My midterms are now behind me and went well. I am currently continuing my internship and training at the start of this year, with a more fluid organization and training content that is gradually intensifying and diversifying.

The coming weeks promise to be just as busy. Several climbing training camps are planned, notably in Chamonix, Valence, and Laval. I will also return to Toulouse for a week of training to fine-tune my preparation before the first big event: the French team trials in Toulouse. All these trips have a clear goal: to be ready for the first major competitions of the season, scheduled for the end of March.

The journey continues, between climbing gyms, classrooms, and roads to travel, with the same desire to progress and build, step by step, for the season ahead.

So... best wishes and a very happy 2026!

Ameg Group (Team Ameg Sport) partner of Triomphe Collectif