Jorre, how is this Euro looking?
”I feel great and can't wait to fight! The Euro is going rather well for me, probably because I like championships which give me other sensations than a Grand Slam, for example. There is only one per year and, every year, it is a goal for me. In any case, I prepared well for it by participating in several courses.”
Where do you place this Euro in this Olympic year? Is it more difficult to prepare?
“Yes and no ! No because we know what the main objective is. These are the Olympics. But yes in the sense that this Euro interrupts the preparation for this Olympic meeting. It's important for me to align myself, even if, like three years ago, I had a choice. In the process, there are still two Grand Slams and the World Cup! I could have opted for a Grand Slam where there will be more points but I regretted this choice, in 2021, of not participating in the Euro.”
I don't think I need to worry too much about my Olympic qualification.
Where are you in terms of Olympic qualification?
”I don't think I need to worry too much. I am 21st in the ranking with almost a thousand points ahead of 31st, the Egyptian Samy, last qualifier. It would therefore take a catastrophe for me not to be at the Paris Games. That’s why my choice was easy this time…”
We don't talk much about you… How did you get into judo?
”When I was six years old, there were sports camps and, with my younger brother Lars, we wanted to sign up for hockey. But we were told that there was no more space and that the only sport still available was judo. We loved it so much that, after the five days of training, we signed up for the club! And my sister Jente followed us. My first national medal dates from when I played in U15. For me, it was a huge surprise because I didn't know where to stand at all. From there, I was taken everywhere for internships and I began to sample international competitions, which I liked. But my career really began in U18 with a medal at the World Cup. (Editor’s note: bronze in 2013, in Miami).”
How did you get into the French-speaking federation?
”It was six years ago, I think, during the transition from juniors to seniors. I got some results and then nothing. I wasn't well. And I felt the need for another structure, another support, which I found on the French-speaking side. I wasn't the first since Kenneth Van Gansbeke was already there and he helped me. I owe him a lot because I learned with him, apart from the fact that we had a great time. And then, it’s also great to be around a guy like Sami Chouchi, both in and out of training.”
Back to the Olympics… In Tokyo, you met the Japanese Takato, future Olympic champion. Was he too strong?
“Yes ! I myself had never been as strong as that day but he was still a cut above. This is less the case today. By that I mean that in -60 kg, everyone who competes in the Games is capable of winning a medal. Everything will depend on the shape of the day. You can already feel it the day before but the confirmation comes during the warm-up. This is where I feel if I am very good, good or… not good. It’s also at this moment that I discover my print. In fact, shortly before getting on the tatami, Cédric Taymans gives me the name of my opponent and we decide on tactics together. For me, it's like that for every fight. I don't want to know in advance what might happen. I have to beat the guy in front of me first. Being in the present helps me give my best.”
How do you go about avoiding being told about the draw that takes place the day before the competition?
”Among judokas, we know each other and no one comes to you and says: 'Hey, will you take this one?' For the rest, I turn off all my notifications, with the exception of my parents and my girlfriend (Editor’s note: athlete Noor Vidts).”
Toma Nikiforov: “More reactions with reality TV than with judo, unfortunately…”
