On the opening day of the World Judo Championships in the Qatari capital Doha, Ellen Salens failed to qualify for the third round.
The 26-year-old Salens had a bye in the first round in the lightweight class up to 48 kilograms, but was eliminated in round two by Italy’s Francesca Milani. After just 49 seconds, Salens conceded an ippon and their world championship was over.
Charline Van Snick and Amber Ryheul (both -52 kg) are two more Belgian women taking part in the World Championships.
Jorre Verstraeten is the first Belgian to step onto the tatami in the men’s game on Sunday. Our 25-year-old compatriot, number seven in the world, will compete in the 60 kg category. Verstraeten is already taking part in his fifth World Championship. In the past two years, in Budapest and Tashkent, he was stranded in the round of 16. In Qatar he hopes for a better placement. Earlier this season, he had boosted his confidence with bronze at the Grand Slams in Tel Aviv and Antalya.
A total of nine Belgians are on the list of participants in Doha. Matthias Casse is the figurehead. Casse is aiming for a second world championship title in the class up to 81 kg. The 26-year-old is facing his fifth senior world championship and has already reached the final three times. In the last three editions he won silver (2019), gold (2021) and silver (2022).
belgian/sp
2023-05-07 10:34:15
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