Matthias Casse finishes the unfinished in Abu Dhabi

Belgian Matthias Casse is a world champion and an Olympic bronze medallist and had some unfinished business. In Abu Dhabi's Grand Slam he did everything right and reached the final after a tense semi-final against Russia's Aslan Lappinagov. Casse had a double serving of Russians because in the final there was another, Alan Khubetsov.

The Belgian tried five different techniques, showing variety and trying to surprise. The Russian had prepared a plan and did not want to change strategy. Already in the golden score the Belgian sentenced with a beautiful uchi-mata-sukeshi. Casse has come back in style.

In any sport, a confrontation between a Brit and a German has its interest in the historical rivalry between the two countries. Lachlan Moorhead and Tim Gramkow fought for bronze and confirmed that both delegations are in Abu Dhabi to win medals, not just to feature. The British judoka Moorhead won with two consecutive seoi-nage and incidentally, avoided golden score and that was appreciated on a busy day.

It was then the turn of the Russian Aslan Lappinagov and the Uzbek Arslonsek Tojiev, members of two other strong delegations here in Abu Dhabi. The last bronze went to Lappinagov after a flat contest.

Thus ended a day in which a couple of countries won medals two by two, as if they did not like to distribute. It was a good judo day. For the third and last, if we had to make a wish, it would be, if possible, to have less golden score contests.

Casse: “Finishing 2021 on a high note with a gold medal at the season finale: the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam! I am very happy with my result and performance on the mat. I felt comfortable and showed good, controlled judo. This demonstrates that the trainings I am doing and all the work that our team puts in is paying off big time. Let's continue on this track and improve where we can to start 2022 off with a bang!”