Matthias Casse (BEL) back at number one position

For several years the category U81kg has been among the most open but not open to all. There has been an exclusive inner circle rotating the gold medals between them, of perhaps 7 competitors.

The top of this group heading into Olympic year is Belgium’s Matthias Casse, known for his work ethic, planning, meticulous lifestyle and commitment. He’s not so far ahead though as just behind him is Tato Grigalashvili. Both men have worn red back patches, both are capable of the most incredible judo but the head-to-head is 4:2 in favour of the Georgian. It is not unlikely that this year’s Olympic final could be played out between them and predicting the victor is nowhere near a done deal. 4:2 simply says that either could win.

Profile Matthias Casse

Belgian judoka Matthias Casse became World Champion in 2021 in Budapest. He finished with bronze at the 2020 Olympic Games. He already was runner-up at the Worlds in 2019, 2022 and 2023. Casse won the IJF World Masters in 2019 in Qingdao and in 2023 in Budapest. He won the Grand Slam in Paris in 2020. Casse was Junior World Champion in 2017 under the guidance of Mark van der Ham, who is back as his coach for his Olympic campaign in 2024. Matthias Casse was World number one U81kg in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.