Van Tichelt wins judo bronze in Rio

Dirk Van Tichelt has secured Belgium’s second medal at the Rio Olympics when he won the bronze in lightweight judo last night. Van Tichelt is the 2008 European champion and a former world number one.

The 32-year-old of Tessenderlo, Limburg province, lost his semi-final against Japan’s Shohei Ono 2-0, who eventually won the gold medal. “It’s unfortunate that I couldn’t score and take control. But he moved fast and well,” said Van Tichelt (pictured), who promised to get back on the mat after a rest. “I’m carrying on with my career. I don’t know if I’ll be in Tokyo in 2020, but I’m still having a lot of fun.”

Judo is the sport that Belgium has performed most consistently in at recent Olympics. Charlene Van Snick won a bronze in London in 2012, and there were medals in 2004, 2000, 1996 (gold for Ulla Werbrouck, a silver and two bronzes), 1992, 1988 and 1980 (gold for Robert Van de Walle).

Meanwhile, Kirsten Flipkens has reached the third round in the tennis, after her Czech opponent Lucie Safarova abandoned their second-round match early when Flipkens was winning 6-2. The Geel player, who defeated Venus Williams in the first round, will face Laura Siegemund of Germany later on Wednesday for a place in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, 2012 bronze medallist Evi Van Acker is currently in fourth place in the Laser Redial sailing race. And swimmer Louis Croenen has reached the final of the 200m butterfly.

Photo: Eric Lalmand/Belga