Karate champion wins the sports award for Master's graduates
Benoît Bégot a commencé le karaté à l'âge de cinq ans. © Christian Brun
At last Saturday’s Master’s degree graduation ceremony – or Magistrale – the EPFL sports award went to Benoît Bégot, a Master’s student in Management of Technology who also holds a 3rd dan black belt. He was able to successfully juggle this demanding degree program with intensive karate training, without any changes to his course load.
When he was five, Benoît Bégot had to choose between karate and soccer. He picked karate and has since become a stellar athlete. A regular competitor in national and international events, he won the silver medal at the 2018 International Open in Orléans, France, and the bronze at the 2018 Swiss championships. This required him to train intensively alongside his studies at EPFL – on Saturday he graduated with a Master’s degree in Management of Technology and a Minor in Engineering. We spoke with him to find out how he was able to be so successful on both fronts.
How did you feel when you found out you won the sports award?
I was really surprised, since I don’t talk much about my training. But it’s a nice reward for all the effort I’ve put in. And it helps draw attention to karate – a sport we generally don’t hear much about.
How were you able to juggle your Master’s degree with high-level karate training?
It was really intense but I didn’t mind. I get a lot out of the sport – it’s a great stress reliever. I’ve always liked to get involved in many different things at once. At EPFL I was also a member of two student clubs. I typically worked until late at night and woke up early. I don’t need a lot sleep – five or six hours a night.
My first year at EPFL was the hardest because I had to find the right balance. I cut back on my training (usually around two hours, five or six times a week) during exam periods. Otherwise there was no way I could’ve passed, and my education is more important to me than karate. I don’t want my life to revolve around karate.
What do you like about karate?
It’s a very complete martial art that works all parts of your body. And it’s very demanding, not just physically but also mentally, since it requires a lot of concentration. It helps you forget about everything else. I also appreciate its values: respect for your partner, discipline and humility. There’s a lot of camaraderie – it’s not all about who’s best.
How did karate help you in your studies?
It taught me how to manage stress, set objectives, plan ahead for deadlines, work hard and stay organized. Without karate I wouldn’t have done so well at EPFL. It really helped keep me grounded.
What are your plans now?
I just spent a month in Costa Rica, and I’d now like to find a consulting job in the area of clean energy or green transportation – something related to the environment where I can make a positive impact. Of course, I hope I’ll also be able to continue practicing karate. I’m currently training for the Swiss championships that will be held in November.