Alonso Manier is finalising his preparations for the International Combat Organisation world championships, marking a return to high-level competition after nearly a decade away from the ring.
The 28-year-old fighter from Villeneuve-sur-Lot in southwestern France will compete in the full-contact category next month. He trains at the Team Revolution gym in nearby Penne-d'Agenais, which is supporting his bid for a world title.
The tournament will take place from October 14 to 18 in Thonon-les-Bains, a town in the Haute-Savoie department on the shores of Lake Geneva.
International combat competition
The International Combat Organisation, or ICO, is a global sanctioning body for various martial arts and combat sports. Its world championship is a major event that brings together athletes from across the globe to compete in multiple weight classes and styles.
This year's competition in Thonon-les-Bains is expected to host more than 1,000 fighters representing all disciplines, ranging from kickboxing styles to traditional martial arts.
Full-contact, sometimes known as American kickboxing, is a combat sport where competitors are permitted to throw strikes with both their hands and feet.
Manier will compete in the division for fighters weighing under 75 kilograms.
To make the weight limit, the athlete has implemented a strict dietary regime consisting of white meat and vegetables. The diet aims to help him shed his remaining five kilograms before the competition begins.
He has also intensified his training schedule, engaging in sparring sessions with training partners drawn from across the Lot-et-Garonne department.
Early start in martial arts
Manier began his involvement in combat sports at a young age, starting karate when he was five years old.
He discovered full-contact at the age of 12 and spent the next six years training intensively in the discipline. During this period, he also incorporated English boxing into his routine to improve his punching technique.
By the time he was 19, the demands of daily training sessions at various locations across the region took their toll, and he decided to stop competing.
He spent almost ten years away from the sport before returning to training three years ago alongside his coach, Benjamin Bureau.
Reflecting on his return, Manier noted that while technical skills remain intact over time, rebuilding cardiovascular endurance is the most difficult part of the process.
Although a selection camp for the French national team was held in the spring, Manier secured his place in the world championships through his previous competitive record and his connections within the sport.
Because he knew the president of Team France, Manier submitted his application directly to the governing body. The federation approved his participation without hesitation.
World championship schedule
The tournament schedule will be demanding, beginning with the official weigh-in on October 14.
Depending on his progression through the bracket, Manier could face up to four or five separate bouts in a single day. The final matches for his category are scheduled for Sunday, October 18.
Looking ahead to the physical toll of the tournament, the fighter explained that while pain is not noticeable during a bout, managing injuries and ensuring proper recovery between fights will be crucial to his success.
He also discussed the psychological aspect of the competition, observing that pressure typically builds in the days leading up to an event, but that he switches fully into a competitive mindset once he steps into the ring.
Support from Team Revolution
Bureau, who serves as both president and coach at Team Revolution, will be in Manier's corner during the world championships.
The Penne-d'Agenais club has an established track record in domestic competition, having accumulated more than a dozen French championship titles. However, sending a fighter to a world championship remains a rare milestone for the organisation.
Bureau and his fellow coaching staff described Manier as possessing exceptional hand speed, a highly powerful right arm, and outstanding counter-punching abilities.
The coaching team emphasised the importance of their relationship with the fighter, stating that success in a bout is divided between the athlete's performance and the coach's guidance. They described their role as acting as the boxer's eyes during the intensity of a fight.
Manier and Bureau now have one month remaining to refine their tactical approach before the tournament begins.
Family presence at ringside
Manier will also be supported by his father, Jean-Pierre, who plans to travel to Thonon-les-Bains for the championships.
His father has been a constant presence at ringside since Manier began competing in his youth.
Commenting on his son's abilities, Jean-Pierre identified Manier's greatest asset as his reliable ability to perform at his best when competition day arrives.
He hopes to witness the Villeneuve-sur-Lot amateur capture his first world title at the upcoming event in eastern France.
