Third day on the 2017 Suzuki World Championships is on it's way. U73kg and U57kg are on it's way. Semi finalists are already very well known, but meanwhile we spoke with Rio Bronze Olympic medalists, Dirk VAN TICHELT (BEL), who was defeated in third round against Mongolian GANBAATAR.

100: How would you describe your day?

DIRK: I was not 100 percent of my self, just I was not and on World Championships you must be on top level.

100: It looked you’ve struggle in match against NAKANO (PHI)…

DIRK: I thought that I have control, but he surprised me. Even in Philippines they know judo, it’s not like 20 years ago. Today even if they coming from small or exotic country it doesn’t mean that they don’t know how to do judo.

100: One year is already behind us when you won bronze medal at the Olympics in Rio. What changed since then?

DIRK: Well, a lot actually, I become father in December, I have son. I got some small publicity, I still training the same, but still, the biggest change is that I’m a father.

100: Plans for the future?

DIRK: I still competing, next competition will be Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi, but I must prepare well for it. I still had some small problems with injuries, I need to be ready for that one.

100: What do you think who will finish today on the top of U73kg?

DIRK: Hashimoto of Japan, but the thing is that I didn’t saw the draw at all, I look at my draw sheet so I really don’t know who is on other side. Also there is Orujov and Heydarov on the list, we’ll see.

100: Do you still dream that bronze medal fight from the Olympics in Beijing?

DIRK: Ohhhh! It was saturday, I was very close, didn’t won the medal but succeed to do it in Rio. First fight in Beijing it was not correct, referee made fault. In that time it was 3 referees on the mat, side made movement of stepping out, I reacted on his movement, but didn’t react on movement of Elnur MAMMADLI (AZE). After he won Olympics, he was good,  in that time, but also I was good. Thats judo, small mistakes can make huge differences.