TBILISI, Georgia — Belgium’s judo campaign at the 2024 European Championships ended without a medal as the nation’s final competitor, Vicky Verschaere, was defeated in her opening bout on Friday. The loss marked the conclusion of a disappointing tournament for the Belgian squad, which failed to advance beyond the first round in any of its five weight classes.
Verschaere, competing in the women’s -57 kg division, faced Kosovo’s Distria Krasniqi — the reigning Olympic champion and world No. 1 — in her first match. Krasniqi secured a decisive ippon victory just 1 minute and 12 seconds into the contest, executing a sharp seoi-nage (shoulder throw) that left Verschaere unable to continue. The result was confirmed by the International Judo Federation’s official match log and broadcast feed from the Tbilisi Sports Palace.
The outcome left Belgium without a single judoka reaching the quarterfinals, a stark contrast to recent performances. At the 2022 European Championships in Sofia, Belgium earned two bronze medals through Toma Nikiforov (-100 kg) and Jorre Verstraeten (-66 kg). This year, Nikiforov was eliminated in the second round by Georgia’s Guram Tushishvili, while Verstraeten lost his opening match to Israel’s Baruch Shmailov.
Other Belgian entrants included Gabriella Willems (-70 kg), who fell to Poland’s Angelika Szymańska, and Toma Nikiforov’s teammate in the heavyweight division, Cédric Revol, who was defeated by Uzbekistan’s Alisher Yusupov in the men’s +100 kg category. Willems, a 2021 European Championships silver medalist, appeared visibly frustrated after her loss, shaking her head as she left the tatami.
The Belgian Judo Federation issued a brief statement following the tournament’s conclusion, acknowledging the results while emphasizing long-term development. “We entered this championship with realistic goals focused on gaining experience and building toward Los Angeles 2028,” the statement read. “While today’s outcome is disappointing, we remain committed to refining our athletes’ preparation and competition resilience.”
Georgia hosted the European Championships for the first time in the event’s 72-year history, with competitions held across four days at the newly renovated Tbilisi Sports Palace. The venue, located in the city’s Vake district, welcomed over 400 athletes from 48 nations. Local organizers reported strong attendance, particularly during matches involving Georgian favorites such as Lasha Bekauri (-90 kg) and Eteri Liparteliani (-63 kg women), both of whom won gold on home soil.
For Verschaere, the early exit represents a setback in her bid to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The 24-year-old from Limburg had risen to No. 14 in the world rankings following a fifth-place finish at the 2023 World Championships in Doha. Her loss to Krasniqi, however, means she will need to accumulate points through World Tour events and continental opens to improve her Olympic seeding.
Krasniqi, who went on to win the -57 kg title by defeating France’s Faïza Mokdar in the final, praised the Georgian crowd after her victory. “Competing here feels special,” she said in a post-match interview broadcast by Eurovision Sports. “The energy in the arena pushes me to fight harder.”
Belgium’s judo program has historically punched above its weight given the nation’s size, producing Olympic medalists such as Ulla Werbrouck (gold, 1996 -61 kg women) and Gella Vandecaveye (silver, 2000 -52 kg women. bronze, 1996). The current generation, however, has struggled to consistently translate World Cup success into continental or global podium finishes.
Looking ahead, the Belgian Judo Federation plans to send a development squad to the upcoming European Open in Oberwart, Austria, in late June. The event will serve as a qualifier-ranking opportunity for athletes aiming to strengthen their positions for the 2025 World Championships in Budapest.
As the tatami is packed up in Tbilisi, Belgium’s judokas will return home to reassess. With no medals to reveal for their efforts, the focus now shifts to the long road toward Los Angeles — where, in four years’ time, another chance awaits.
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