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Matthias Casse becomes first Belgian World Junior Champion since 27 years

Matthias Casse becomes first Belgian World Junior Champion since 27 years

20 Oct 2017 19:50
JudoInside.com - Hans van Essen / judo news, results and photos

Belgian top talent Matthias Casse topped the medal podium in the U81kg category for Belgium as their presence in the competition continues to increase every day. Katowice European Open winner Casse became the first World Junior Champion since in 1990 Ulla Werbrouck and Christel Deliege won the World Junior title. In 1986 Johan Laats was the first and only man.

Casse was today mentally the strongest and with his new coach Mark van der Ham they discussed the game plan. Casse: “I felt good today, my new coach and I fit well and it works well especially on the mental aspects. I defeated some good opponents and felt better each time. Anything can happen and you have be a little lucky sometimes as well, but certainly the mental aspect helped.”

Casse prevailed against former Junior European Championships bronze medallist Turpal Tepkaev (RUS) in golden score with a reverse seoi-nage which was worth a waza-ari and world gold.

Casse: “I felt I got stronger each fight. Also in the final against Tepkaev I felt the chance coming and I could win. He is a very strong grip fighter and had a few chances but in the golden score and kept going and I made my reverse seoi nage and it was enough for the gold.”

"It’s a crazy day but I knew it was possible and I’m glad I come home with the gold medal."

Casse also took 700 points for the IJF Senior World Tour. Since this year the same points are given for the World Junior Championships as to a Grand Prix. Casse moved to place 23 in the senior World ranking. 

In the first semi-final 19-year-old Junior European Championships bronze medallist Christian Parlati (ITA) lost out to Casse by a waza-ari score to guarantee one more medal for Belgium. In the second semi-final Junior European Championships winner Tim Gramkow (GER) was beaten by Tepkaev by ippon.

The first bronze medal was clinched by Gramkow after Junior Asian Championships bronze medallist Erlan Sherov (KGZ) picked up his third shido for dropping to receive hansoku-make.

The second bronze medal was won by Parlati who eclipsed Scottish judoka and former Glasgow European Open bronze medallist Stuart Mcwatt (GBR) by a waza-ari in the last 30 seconds.

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