Huge surprise in Doha: the Belgian, world No. 1 in less than 81 kg, did not survive his fight
inaugural against Sweden’s Pacek. Sami Chouchi (-81) and Gabriella Willems (-70) were also
out of entrance.
Uone day is not another at the Judo Masters in Doha. The day after Charline Van Snick’s beautiful 5th place in less than 52 kg, the three Belgians entered on Tuesday were all eliminated from the start.
The big (and bad) surprise came from Matthias Casse. For the first time since March 16, 2019 and his 5th place at the Ekaterinburg Grand Slam, the Antwerp native will not be on the podium of a competition in which he takes part. The world n ° 1 in the under 81 kg category, had to drop the flag in his first fight against the solid and experienced Swede Robin Pacek (IJF25).
Casse, who was defending his title, gave the impression of struggling to find the right rhythm throughout this clash during which he also searched in vain for the opening. Pacek, who had to seek treatment very early after having started to bleed from the nose following a bad blow, managed to close all the angles during the regulation 4 minutes.
In the golden score, where the first to score an advantage is declared the winner, after receiving a penalty like his opponent, Casse attempted a shoulder movement after 3:07 but was countered by Pacek , who benefited from a waza ari.
In the same category of less than 81 kg, Sami Chouchi was hardly happier. The Brussels resident, n ° 24 in the world ranking, who remained on a beautiful 5th place at the Euro in Prague, in November, after having delivered a Homeric fight against Casse for bronze, also appeared far from his form of the time.
Against the Italian Parlati (IJF 20), he was unable to impose his judo and was surprised twice, the second time on a counter.
Last Belgian to enter into action, in the under 70 kg category, Gabriella Willems (IJF 25) could not do anything against the solid Spanish Bernabeu (IJF 19) who won waza ari without ever having been really threatened. .
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