At the top of the draw, Matthias Casse was firmly established. However, the first round was tricky against Sibghatullah Arab of the refugee team who, without presumption, allowed himself to score a waza-ari against the world number one. Quite a sensation! Could everything stop so quickly for Casse? It was without counting on his ability to keep calm and regain the upper hand, which he did brilliantly.
In the next round, the Belgian judoka defeated an old hand on the international circuit, Attila Ungvari (HUN), before facing the reigning Olympic champion Takanori Nagase (JPN). The latter had to fight a fierce battle against Vedat Albayrak (TUR) in the previous round but Nagase is not afraid of these confrontations that draw on his reserves. Also a master of his nerves, he is capable of pulling out the right move at the right time.
This is what he did against Casse in the quarter-finals. After a particularly indecisive fight, he finally found a mouse hole in which to slip to score a waza-ari synonymous with qualification for the semi-final.
In pool B, it was the Brazilian Guilherme Schimidt who was the favourite. After a quiet start, he finally gave way to Antonio Esposito (ITA), who had seemed in great shape since the morning. Continuing his momentum, the Italian judoka sent Canadian François Gauthier-Drapeau back to the locker room to qualify for an exceptional semi-final. We didn't expect him to have such a party but at the Games anything is possible.
The top seed in pool C was none other than the reigning world champion and one of the big favourites of the day, Tato Grigalashvili (GEO). Perhaps a little less incisive than usual, Grigalashvili nevertheless passed the rounds, without giving his opponents a chance to put him in danger.
Finally, in pool D, we were eagerly waiting to follow Joonhwan Lee (KOR) who at one point or another during the season, has beaten almost all the favourites. Would he be able to repeat his exploits over a full day of competition? After a first round against Achraf Moutii (MAR), Lee beat Sagi Muki (ISR), then Sharofiddin Boltaboev (UZB) to join Grigalashvili in the semi-final, for a match that promised to be spicy and exciting.
Semi-Finals
Takanori Nagase (JPN) vs Antonio Esposito (ITA)
Tato Grigalashvili (GEO) vs Joonhwan Lee (KOR)
Repechage
Matthias Casse (BEL) vs François Gauthier-Drapeau (CAN)
Somon Makhmadbekov (TJK) vs Sharofiddin boltaboev (UZB)