Matthias Casse from Antwerp won the second Grand Slam of his career on the tatami at the last major international judo event of the year, in Abu Dhabi.
© Judo Vlaanderen
Matthias Casse finishes the year in style. In 2021, in his -81 kg category, he has already won the supreme title at the World Championships in Budapest and brought home the bronze medal from the Tokyo Olympics. He now has another title to his name, bringing the second Grand Slam title of his career back to Belgium after winning in Paris in 2020.
To reach the final of the tournament in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), the Belgian judoka had to defeat three strong competitors - the Canadian Gabun, then the Ukrainian Krivchach and lastly, in the semi-final, the Russian Lappinagov (28 years old/No. 18), an opponent who had beaten him in their last two meetings.
In the final, he came up against an old acquaintance in the person of the Russian Khubetsov. And the fight lived up to its promise. Matthias Casse was often put in danger by ground strikes, but remained patient. Although each fighter received a penalty, the outcome was finally decided in overtime. The Russian committed another penalty in less than a minute, under pressure. The Antwerp fighter then found an opening and won the match.
Congratulations to our Belgian judoka for this magnificent gold medal!
