Julien Debruycker secured the national bronze medal in the under-66kg division at the Belgian senior judo championships in Lommel, marking his return to the podium seven years after claiming silver as a 20-year-old in the under-60kg category.
Debruycker Secures Third Place After Semifinal Defeat
Debruycker entered the tournament with aspirations of capturing the national title but fell just short in a tight semifinal bout against Joran Schildermans. The match hinged on a decisive score in the closing seconds.
“At five seconds from the end, I unfortunately fell on my backside and the referees awarded a yuko, which is legitimate, but I am angry with myself because I could have gone to the final, really!” Debruycker said.
Rather than dwelling on the defeat, Debruycker rebounded through the repechage rounds, stringing together successive ippon victories to secure third place. The judoka acknowledged the tactical challenge posed by his opponent’s defensive style.
Dedication to Mentor Sophie Lutyn
The journey back to elite domestic competition carried personal significance for Debruycker, who dedicated his campaign to Sophie Lutyn. Lutyn coached him during his formative years at the Sports School in Mouscron, laying the groundwork for his competitive career.
“I didn’t like to talk about an official comeback,” Debruycker said. “I just wanted to participate in these championships to have fun and also please Sophie Lutyn, who played an essential role in my judo journey.”
Debruycker currently competes for Kanido Herseaux after previously representing Top Niveau Tournai during his 2019 silver-medal run.
Schedule Constraints Prompt Future Weight Class Shift
Balancing competitive judo with a professional career as a specialized educator presents distinct logistical hurdles. Demanding evening shifts and variable hours limit Debruycker to training sessions roughly three times a week.
Those scheduling constraints mean the under-66kg division likely marks a temporary stop on the scale. The weight management required for the category demands lifestyle adjustments that conflict with his professional schedule.
“Not in under-66kg in any case, because I no longer necessarily want to make the efforts to lose weight,” Debruycker said regarding future individual championships.
Attention now shifts to the upcoming interclub season, which begins in ten days. Debruycker is scheduled to represent Kanido Herseaux in the team competition.
“I will be there to defend the colors of Kanido Herseaux,” Debruycker said. “We will try to win a title that I have never had either, by fighting with our weapons and focusing on the pleasure of evolving together, as a team.”
Regional Results for Wapi Clubs
Debruycker’s bronze medal stood as the sole podium finish for judokas from the region at the 2026 senior national championships, despite a broadened qualification pathway designed to increase participation.
Kanido Herseaux fielded a depleted roster after Antoine Van Der Perre withdrew from the competition. Under-18 competitor Achille D’Hont exited the under-66kg bracket in his opening match without reaching the repechage, while Tommy-Lee Callens dropped two matches in the under-81kg category.
Within Kano Tournai, Angèle Bonte delivered the club’s strongest performance with a seventh-place finish in the under-63kg division, securing one victory against two losses. Lisa Mouvet bowed out in the opening round of the under-52kg event.
Top Niveau Tournai saw Andy Beukam eliminated in the opening round of the under-66kg tournament by Debruycker. Wassim Hamdi added a seventh-place finish in the under-81kg class following two wins and two losses, while Aya Hamdi did not start. Judo Club Brugelette representatives Thibault Wambeke and Abbygaelle Bonge also missed the tournament.
