Champions Quiz (France 2): "I didn’t necessarily feel in danger"Xavier reacts to his victory in the game

You started slow in the first round, in doubt?

No, because I had somewhat of the same background when I first joined. I don’t know why, I’m still having a hard time getting used to it. I had no doubts because this was pretty much knocked out in the first round and I came out very quickly as the fastest candidates qualified. i think if i do it again Champions QuizI would go for soft belly again.

Which tour scared you the most?

The second round put some pressure on me as I missed my first entry. It’s kind of random because we don’t know what theme we’re going to fall into and they don’t have to be equivalent for the same person… When the second round was over, I was calmer and I said to myself, he had done the hardest. Even when you see the question, you say to yourself, ‘this is the theme, why not’, but there is always the risk of getting stuck. When we finish 30 seconds, we really relax.

Which candidate worries you the most?

Christophe was the one who scared me the most until the 2nd round. When he made his score in the second set, it worried me less a priori that he was ace. Of the rest, I feared Bruno, Enzo and Sébastien the most. Sébastien for his very good side on all general knowledge topics. Bruno, the advantage is that I know his strengths and weaknesses a little better so I can try to avoid his strengths and Enzo was the unknown.

As Cyril Féraud points out, all animators carry their champions in their hearts. How is your relationship with Jean-Luc Reichmann?

I have very good relations with Jean-Luc Reichmann, he was even there at my wedding. I have a special attachment 12 strokes at noon. There is always something in the irrational that will connect me to this show. Apart from publications, I have very close relations with Jean-Luc Reichmann and all candidates and lunch masters. It’s a really big family, we all see each other at many different events. I’m not saying it to be corporate, not pies.

Did he congratulate you after this victory?

Jean-Luc Reichmann was very happy that I won. He congratulated me and we were very happy even among the noon masters. I broke the champions’ winning streak bump and France Telé. So that’s a point 12 strokes. To be continued…

Did you try to protect Bruno in round 3 called “sabotage” against champions from other shows?

In this idea, I tried to return the themes that support him more where he is strong. From what they told me, I guess I didn’t succeed (laughs) but once again it was quite complicated to decipher the list of themes. Choosing it, I wish there was a final against Bruno 100% for the final side. 12 strokes at noonIt would be funny and entertaining. Choosing once again, if not me, it could be Bruno. So yeah, actually, I didn’t specifically try to sabotage Bruno, and given the list of themes, that was really tough.

Is this a victory for you as a ‘standard bearer’? 12 strokes at noon Or as Xavier, the information monster and hydroelectric engineer?

I am a competitor. I’m happy for myself when I win and pissed off at myself when I lose but yes, of course I was very happy with myself and of course there was this side of showing TF1 and promoting a show. Not from France Télévisions. The desire to show that we are not sold out or insignificant champions, and with this victory I prove that we are not defending ourselves that badly. We are happy when we have the opportunity to show it, and then we become flag bearers. 12 strokes at noon, I’ve been afraid to be like that my whole life, and it’s a source of pride.

You were the first to reach the 6 points needed to win the win, but the other finalist was Sebastien. How did you feel at that moment?

I didn’t feel in danger, I was quite confident, but I felt regret, especially after my unsuccessful answers. I missed any questions I might have asked… Fatigue, pressure, and our random selection of questions come into play. At that time, I especially focused on the fact that I had not finished the chapter before…

So this revenge, how do you feel after your victory? How does it feel to finally be the “champion of champions”?

I was very happy but disappointed for Sébastien as well because he deserved to win as much as I did considering his finale. It was so cheap and I hope it wins one day. Afterwards, yes, I will not show false modesty. I was very happy that I won and now I have achieved a goal. This time ‘Champion of Champions’ yes, but this is a re-introduced title and I will be very happy to return. The win record is currently at two, so that gives me a new goal (laughs). I am a competitor for better and… for worse.

Kahina Boudjdjdj