Charline van Snick announces retirement from Judo

Belgian judoka Charline Van Snick, a prominent figure in the judo world, has announced her retirement from professional judo. In a heartfelt statement shared with the press and her supporters, Van Snick expressed gratitude for her journey in the sport and reflected on her remarkable career achievements. Van Snick was Olympic Games bronze medallist in 2012, she finished ninth at the Olympic Games in Rio 2016 and seventh at Tokyo 2020.

The Belgian lightweight was 2013 World bronze medallist in Rio and 2015 European Games winner after she had lost two European finals and retained her European title in 2016 in Kazan. In total she won 13 World Cups between 2010 and 2018 including a Grand Slam title in Abu Dhabi in 2017 and eight Grand Prix titles in eight different cities. She collected 30 World Cup medals and is considered one of the best Belgian athletes ever. Throughout her career she won 38 medals at international tournaments including Olympic Games, World and European Championships, solidifying her status as one of Belgium's most decorated judokas. Her accomplishments extend to the global stage, where she has been officially ranked 28th on the IJF circuit, showcasing her exceptional talent and dedication to the sport.

Van Snick: "Dear friends, members of the press, dear partners, dear sports enthusiasts in general and judo lovers in particular, I thank you for being present today. It's a somewhat special day for me, as I have decided to turn the last page of my career as a professional athlete to write a new book, so to speak. First of all, I would like to share with you a brief retrospective of my career as a professional judoka, as it is time for me to hang up my competition kimono. At the age of seven I stepped onto a tatami for the first time, starting an adventure that would define a significant part of my life. I put on my first competition kimono at the age of 8. It was the prelude to total devotion to judo. Beyond just a sport, judo became my way of life, MY Passion. My journey is marked by successes and challenges. By defeats, victories, moments of questioning, fabulous moments. Each medal is a story in itself, the result of personal work but also of a wonderful team, the result of sacrifices. But it's like giving birth, they say; you forget the pain immediately because the joy provided by the baby medal is so intense. At the heart of Belgian judo, here I am, super proud to be the third most decorated female judoka. Now I can admit it to you!"

Van Snick, known for her tenacity and skill on the mat, leaves behind an impressive legacy.

In her announcement, Van Snick highlighted the challenges she faced, both on and off the mat, including personal trials and post-traumatic stress related to various forms of violence. Despite these hurdles, she continued to persevere, demonstrating resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

Looking ahead, Van Snick expressed her intention to transition into a new chapter of her life, focusing on advocacy and support for fellow athletes. She emphasized the importance of addressing issues such as burnout in high-level sports and promoting mental and physical well-being among athletes.

Van Snick's retirement marks the end of an era in Belgian judo, but her impact on the sport and the broader community will continue to be felt. As she embarks on this new journey, Van Snick remains grateful for the unwavering support of her family, friends, coaches, sponsors, and the judo community.

In closing, Charline Van Snick may have hung up her competition kimono, but her dedication and passion for judo will leave a lasting legacy, inspiring future generations of athletes to strive for excellence both on and off the mat.