Four Belgian men and Van Snick nominated for Olympic judo team

No surprises in the Belgian Olympic team travelling with five judokas to Rio de Janeiro. The only surprise is that it consists of four men and one woman. Charline Van Snick however was the only one who won an Olympic medal over the last 12 years, she won bronze in London U48kg. Charline Van Snick, Jasper Lefevere, Dirk Van Tichelt, Joachim Bottieau and Toma Nikiforov form the final team which qualified for the Games which will start in 60 days from now.

Four Belgians qualified directly for the Olympics. Toma Nikiforov was the bronze medallist at the last World Championships U100kg. Joachim Bottieau won the Grand Prix of Düsseldorf for the second time. Toma Nikiforov and Joachim Bottieau are seeded in Rio. Jasper Lefevere will debut as he got his ticket via the continental quotas that offer two additional tickets per category and continent.

This coveted ticket was obtained by Jasper Lefevere says the Flemish Judo Federation (VJF). Ilse Heylen fell just wide, despite its large number of points. Ilse Heylen, who just missed the Olympic boat was the last for Belgium in 2004. The last men to medal was Harry van Barneveld in 1996 in Atlanta, together with Robert Van de Walle the only male Olympic medal winners. Van de Walle even won two, in 1980 and 1988. In 1980 he won the Olympic gold. With Gella Vandecaveye Van de Walle are the only two who claimed two Olympic medals for Belgium.

Belgian Olympic Champions

1980 Robert Van de Walle U95kg – Moscow

1988 Ingrid Berghmans U72kg – Seoul

1996 Ulla Werbrouck U72kg – Atlanta

The most successful Olympic Games for Belgium were the Atlanta Games of 1996 with gold, silver and two bronze.