LIVE European Judo Championship: Verstraeten and Salens to the second round, waiting for other Belgians

5 Belgians step on the tatami on this first day of the European Judo Championships in Zagreb. Our compatriots will have to be at the appointment immediately, because yesterday’s draw did not give them an easy course.

Jorre Verstraeten (IJF-18) is the only Belgian man in action today. In his first round, the Greek Christo Pintsis (IJF-158) should be a viable card. If Verstraeten makes it to the quarter-finals, the reigning world champion and number 1 in the global ranking will most likely be waiting there: the Spaniard Garrigos.

For the women, we are looking forward to Lois Petit (IJF-47) and Ellen Salens (IJF-48) in the category up to 48 kilograms. Petit has been drawn in the first round and will immediately face Blandine Pont, the French number 13 in the world. Salens must get past the Austrian Katharina Tanzer (IJF-35) in the first round.

In the class up to 52 kilograms, Amber Ryheul (IJF-28) will compete against Naomi Van Krevel (IJF-30) from the Netherlands. Ryheul’s group also includes the Kosovan number 1 in the world. To meet them on the mat, Ryheul must make it to the quarter-finals.

Mina Libeer is the last Belgian on the scoresheet today. No opponent in the first round, but a winner in round 2: Priscilla Gneto is 15th in the global ranking and was good for bronze at the London Games in 2012. Victory in the Grand Slam of Tashkent earlier this year proves that the 32-year-old Frenchwoman is immediately a formidable opponent.