European Judo Championships are not the main goal, but Belgians go to Zagreb with ambitions: “You go to the European Championships to win”

The Belgian judokas are starting a solid block with the European Championships in Zagreb (25-28 April): 3 major tournaments in 4 months. The World Cup is in Abu Dhabi from May 19 to 24. It is clear to everyone that the Olympic Games in Paris in the summer are the main goal. But also to collect points for the Olympic ranking, the other appointments are not snacks.

The goal of Jorre Verstraeten (-60 kg) was clear at the beginning of this year: to reach the top 8 in the Olympic rankings to avoid top players in the preliminary rounds of the Games. But with an early exit in the Grand Slams of Paris and Antalya and a fifth place in Tashkent, Verstraeten fell below his own expectations this year and dropped to 21st place.

“The last few months have not been easy. We have worked on a lot of things, but they have not yet translated into results on the mat. I hope I can show that in the coming months.”

(read more below the video)

“This European Championship is part of the preparation for that big goal: the Olympic Games. The European Championship is not a peak moment, but we have trained hard for it. They remain fun competitions, so I am just excited to fight there.”

“Whether that top 8 is still feasible will mainly depend on the World Cup. You can earn a lot of points there with a good result.”

The European Championship is not the main goal, but a third European title would be very nice.

Toma Nikiforov

Toma Nikiforov was already European champion twice, but injuries and poor form have kept the man from -100 kg from medals at major tournaments in recent years. Now he wants to appear at the competitions in top condition.

“I learned how to train better without injuring myself. It’s been a long time since I felt this good. I have been injury-free for a while, although as a judoka you always have minor aches and pains,” the Brussels native laughs.

(read more below the video)

“This European Championship is not a main goal for me either and I actually don’t need the points for the Olympic ranking at the moment. Getting extra reserve points at this European Championship would be nice and if I became European champion for the third time, that would be very rewarding.”

“If I’m honest, I have to admit that a top 8 place in the rankings will be difficult. But I’m actually not concerned about that right now. I focus on my weight and look at each camp individually. I just want to be in top shape. The opposition at this European Championship is also very strong and there are many contenders for the European title.”

Mina Libeer has now been back on the mat for six months after a serious knee injury. A bronze medal in the Austrian Grand Prix shows that she is once again in good condition.

“I’m happy that I’m making progress again. The judo feeling is coming back more and more and then it is nice to reward myself with a bronze medal.”

Libeer dares to say that she is going to this European Championship with ambition. “When you participate in a European Championship, you go to win. But my attitude always remains the same: you can’t start your second camp if your first one doesn’t win. So I’m taking it step by step. I have already won a medal, so I am convinced that I can do that again.” In 2022 she won bronze in the -57 kg.

(Continue reading below the video)

Libeer is narrowly placed in the Olympic rankings for the Paris Games. Does she believe in her chances of reaching the Games?

“Everything depends on the coming months. It remains to be seen who can still get points, but I will at least try to defend myself, improve and qualify.”

This contains inserted content from a social media network that wants to write or read cookies (Instagram). You have not given permission for this.

Click here to still allow this

The Belgian delegation for the European Championships in Zagreb consists of eleven judokas. Four men: Jorre Verstraeten (-60 kg), Jarne Duyck (-81 kg), Sami Chouchi (-90 kg) and Toma Nikiforov (-100 kg) and seven women: Ellen Salens and Lois Petit (-48 kg), Amber Ryheul (-52 kg), Mina Libeer (-57 kg), Alessia Corrao (-63 kg), Gabriella Willems (-70 kg) and Vicky Verschaere (-78 kg).