NAME: Matthias CASSE
COUNTRY: BELGIUM
CATEGORY: -81KG
WORLD RANKING POINTS: 7907
Leading the world ranking for all men is Belgian powerhouse, Matthias CASSE. It was a tough end of the year, but he is happy to be climbing back on top with a silver medal win in the Tokyo Grand Slam following a short drought. His prior result came in the Hungary IJF Masters event in August, a Masters title is always a huge achievement, especially within this strong category.
Overtaking his main rival, Tato GRIGALASHVILI of Georgia, following the updated world ranking list will certainly put a target on his back. Casse has been one of the leading athletes of this category for a number of years now and shows no signs of letting up, which suits him well going in to the Olympic year, the ultimate goal will be to turn his Tokyo Olympic bronze in to a gold in Paris.
As of recent he is also ‘under new management’ with new (or old) coaching staff in place in these critical months, and though we can’t yet see his name in the inscriptions for events in 2024, the allure of the 50th edition of the Paris Grand Slam will be hard to pass up on.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen