Matthias Casse also loses the battle for bronze and leaves the European Judo Championships without a medal: “I lost today against two opponents who were not really better”

It did not become the European Championship that Matthias Casse had hoped for. The world number one saw his title chances explode in the quarter-finals, but was still able to compete for bronze thanks to the rematches. But things also went wrong in that match against the Frenchman Alpha Oumar Djalo (IJF-10). Casse leaves the European Championships without a medal.

After bronze (2020) and two silver (2021, 2022), Matthias Casse wanted to stand on the highest step after the European Championships, just like in 2019, but this time it was not even a medal of honor. “It is the first time in a long time that I have to leave a championship without a medal and that hurts,” said the world number one in the 81-kilogram class, after winning the bronze medal match in Montpellier, France on Saturday. was knocked out after 48 seconds by the Frenchman Alpha Oumar Djalo (IJF-10).

“I have already analyzed the camp with my trainer (Mark van der Ham) and it is clear that I am making a crucial mistake. That should not happen at this level. I lost today against two opponents who weren’t really any better. That can happen. The preparation was good, but today I didn’t feel 100 percent.”

“Perhaps I could have handled a few things more sensibly during the preparation. In Belgium it is not always easy. I often have to go abroad to find high-quality sparring partners. Some of my opponents find better training opportunities in their own country.”

The Tokyo Grand Slam, which takes place on the weekend of December 2 and 3, is now Casse’s next target.