While waiting for him but also in agreement with him, the technical director, Koen Sleeckx, and the board of directors of Judo Vlaanderen have decided not to extend the contracts of Mark Van der Ham and Udo Quelmallz. The first was replaced as head coach by… Dirk Van Tichelt, 40 years old, bronze medalist at the Rio Games, having been in charge of the juniors (under 20 years old) until then. A particularly radical decision at the dawn of the new Olympiad.
Koen Sleeckx, what is your assessment of the Paris Games?
“We took a medal again. As almost always. Judo once again showed that it was a sure value in Belgium. On the other hand, on the Dutch-speaking side, we wanted a medal and we did not succeed. It’s a disappointment.”
Is this the reason for the upheaval at the head of the sports unit with the ousting of Mark and Udo, then the appointment of Dirk?
“Yes… But this change is not just about results. We have to go back to the departure of Damiano Martinuzzi in September 2023. We looked for a short-term solution for Matthias, Toma and the others in view of the Olympics. And we said to ourselves that Mark was the best solution. But, at the same time, I had already started discussions, notably with Dirk, to consider the long term. The two together or rather one above the other, it was impossible with their records. So, we opted for Dirk! We have now turned the page on Paris 2024 and we are opening another with Los Angeles 2028.”
What potential can Judo Vlaanderen build on today?
“Matthias and Toma, of course, Mina Libeer and Jarne Duyck, who is moving up to -90 kg. For the moment, these are our elite four. Behind, there are promising young people like Cremers or Isayev but they only have ten -seven years. We don’t know how they will progress over the next four years. It’s way too early!”
Aren’t you worried? If Toma decides to stop…
“Obviously! We would obviously like to be able to count on a greater number of judokas but that is the situation we are in. But I have confidence. With Matthias, it is clear. With the others, including Amber Ryheul, this is less. I wouldn’t speak of hollows because there are still Naert and Batchaev, whom I did not mention. On the other hand, yes, there are fewer girls. We must take it into consideration and. put solutions in place. There are a lot of judokas in national training. The next generation is there but they are still too soft for the high level.”
“Working together at the national level can increase the quality of training.”
How can we explain the lack of girls?
“I think with girls you have to start high-level training earlier than with boys. It’s a question of maturity.”
What is your goal for Los Angeles 2028? Can we bring more than four judokas or are we blocked by the size of Belgium?
“The size of the country is not a problem. Look at Slovenia or Kosovo. These two small nations have excellent judokas. I think we need to improve the collaboration between the federation and the clubs. In both directions. I take responsibility for it at the federation level But we must increase the level of the clubs. This is the basis. A child generally starts judo in a club at the age of six and enters the federal structure at fourteen. years This. are eight important years in its development, which we must improve.”
With the appointment of Dirk Van Tichelt, is there any way of more or better collaboration between French-speakers and Dutch-speakers?
“Yes! We are in favor of the idea of working together because it can increase the quality of training. Financially, we can also carry out more actions with less money. I think that is important. And, with Dirk, it will be easier, that’s clear! We must optimize the means at our disposal.”
