Tbilisi, Georgia – Belgian judoka Matthias Casse secured a bronze medal at the Tbilisi Grand Slam on Saturday, March 21, 2026, marking his return to the podium after an eleven-month absence. The victory, achieved against a challenging field and in front of a partisan Georgian crowd, signals a positive step forward for Casse as he prepares for the European Championships and the World Championships later this year.
“I’m really happy,” Casse said, according to reports. “There was a moment I hadn’t felt this sense of satisfaction in a although. I’ve found my rhythm and, above all, my judo, which is a good sign heading into the Euros and the Worlds. The day went well with two initial matches that I controlled. In the quarter-finals, I made a small mistake against the Ukrainian and it cost me the win. But I bounced back well in the repechage, and then in this bronze medal match. Beating two Georgians in front of their home crowd is never easy. I was well-focused and it worked!”
A Hard-Fought Path to Bronze
Casse began his day with decisive wins over Tajikistan’s Sherov and Kazakhstan’s Narkulov, demonstrating early control, and form. The quarter-final bout against Ukraine’s Svidrak proved to be a turning point. Having previously defeated Svidrak three times, Casse entered the match with a psychological edge, but the contest was fiercely contested, with both judokas aggressively seeking an advantage.
A controversial moment occurred mid-match when Svidrak appeared to score a waza-ari, but video review overturned the call, deeming it generously awarded by the central referee. However, the reprieve was short-lived. In overtime, a contested move resulted in the referee awarding the victory to Svidrak, a decision Casse immediately challenged, but to no avail.
Sent to the repechage, Casse faced Georgia’s Dvalashvili, whom he had defeated the previous year in Paris. The match again went into overtime, but this time the decision went Casse’s way with a yuko, setting up a bronze medal final against another Georgian, Dimitri Gochilaidze.
The bronze medal match saw Casse overcome the challenge of Gochilaidze, securing the medal and ending his eleven-month drought. The victory was particularly significant given the hostile atmosphere of competing against two Georgian judokas on their home turf.
The Tbilisi Grand Slam, a key event on the European Judo Union (EJU) calendar, attracts top competitors from across the continent and serves as an essential preparation ground for major championships. The event took place from March 20-22, 2026, in Tbilisi, Georgia. The EJU calendar as well includes the European Judo Championships Kata in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, scheduled for May 16-18, 2026, and the Riga Senior European Cup, held March 21-22, 2026, in Riga, Latvia.
For Casse, the bronze medal represents more than just a return to form; it’s a reaffirmation of his competitive spirit and a crucial confidence boost as he looks ahead to the European Championships and the World Championships. The road to these major events is demanding, requiring not only technical skill but also mental fortitude, something Casse demonstrated in abundance in Tbilisi.
Judo fans will be watching closely to see if Casse can build on this momentum and challenge for gold at the upcoming European and World Championships. His performance in Tbilisi suggests he is well on his way to regaining his position among the elite judokas in the world.
The European Judo Championships, organized by the European Judo Union, have a long and storied history, with the first edition held in Paris in 1951. The 2026 edition is scheduled to be held in Tbilisi, Georgia, continuing the tradition of showcasing the best judo talent in Europe.
Next up for many of these athletes will be further Grand Slam and Grand Prix events across Europe, providing valuable ranking points and competitive experience. The EJU calendar is packed with opportunities for judokas to test their skills and prepare for the ultimate challenges of the European and World Championships.
Casse’s victory in Tbilisi is a testament to his dedication and resilience. After a challenging period, he has rediscovered his form and is ready to compete at the highest level once again. The judo world will be eagerly anticipating his next performance.
