Pétanque: for junior Henri Impériali, youth already rhymes with wisdom

Henri Impériali a quitté cette saison le club des Angles pour l’ASM Codolet. Midi Libre

Joueur en vue, Henri Impériali dispute sa dernière année dans la catégorie des juniors. Avec l'envie de progresser et de jouer le rôle du grand frère auprès de ses nouveaux partenaires.

It’s his last junior year, and Henri Impériali already knows it: “Seniors are another world. The year 2024 closes my journey among young people. I'm going to take advantage of it and, if possible, progress. " Nicknamed “Riton”, black hair, tender gaze, full head, a bit reserved, this already tall kid is worth the detour . Like many, he started playing pétanque to do like his father, Ludovic, who became an educator to better support him.

He also plays table tennis

"When I look back at my journey, I measure everything that has changed and has changed me", slips the child from Morières-lès-Avignon, who specifies: "I" rsquo;I only played three years in Vaucluse." The student in first science class at the René-Char high school in Avignon also practices table tennis in Regional 2 for the club in his city. He has fun and analyzes: "In ping, it’s faster. You need reflexes, vision. Physically, frankly, it has nothing to do with pétanque! But both suit me."

Her zenitude is a strength

If some only see pétanque through shooting, it is the midfield position that Henri Impériali prefers. The complete player that he is expresses himself with talent and serenity. On the pitch, don't look for a gesture of spite, an acid remark to the opponent or to a partner. He remains focused, diligent, smiling at times. His zenitude is a strength.

Multiple champion of Gard and Occitanie, finalist of the Young Masters, he just regrets this round of 16 at the French championship, lost 13-12 after being dropped 7-12 and missed a royal…"

Ambitious, not pretentious

His track record is full, he remains modest and lucid. "You have to be ambitious but not pretentious. I'm not superman." For his last year among the juniors, Henri Impériali left the Boule du Forum des Angles for the ASM Codolet where he will officiate alongside two neophytes in the category, Dylan Rayne – Langlade and Justin Divol. "I'm going to be their big brother and I'll make sure they don’stress because a first year in junior is never easy. We are going to start our season with the Annecy International, we will do Sète and then, we will see."
 

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