There will be no fifth world final in a row for Matthias Casse! Entered in -81 kg, in Abu Dhabi, the Antwerp player was taken out by… the video referees for supposedly two “illegal holds” and left the tatami disappointed by this decision… Opposed to the Russian Arbuzov (20 years old/n °26), whom he beat at Euro 2023, Matthias fought a famous battle. Victory could have fallen to either side with a nice move. She came back to the young Russian with a decision that was once again particularly questionable!
Previously, Matthias Casse had dismissed the Irishman Trigub (24 years old/n°80), silver medalist in Warsaw and bronze in Dubrovnik. But, for his entry into the running in this World Cup, the Antwerp player had to be patient, allowing himself to come back to penalties (on two “false attacks”), in overtime, before concluding.
Still in -81 kg, Jarne Duyck began his competition against the Portuguese Fernando (24 years old/n°22), victorious over… Matthias Casse in 2023, in Paris! More lively than the 21-year-old Flandrien (the youngest in the Belgian delegation…), the Portuguese won with an unstoppable arm lock, from which Jarne will have to learn all the lessons.
In -63kg, Alessia Corrao lost to the Italian Russo (19 years old/n°43), European junior champion last year and already a senior bronze medalist this year! The face-to-face was very balanced, but turned to Russo’s advantage when, in overtime, she managed to knock down Alessia on the flank.
