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29 March 2024

Belgian judo medallist assaulted on Copacabana beach

Belgium's Dirk Van Tichelt celebrates after winning a bronze medal in the men's 73-kg judo competition at at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. (AP)

Published
By AFP

Belgian Olympic judo medallist Dirk Van Tichelt suffered a black eye in a late-night assault on Copacabana beach in Rio, the Belgian Olympic Committee confirmed on Tuesday.

Just hours after winning under-73kg bronze in the dojo on Monday, Van Tichelt was out celebrating with his training partner on the world famous beach when the assault occurred.

"His training partner's phone was stolen and as Dirk ran after the thief, he was punched in the face by someone else," Belgian Olympic Committee communications director Luc Rampaer told AFP.

"The police were nearby so he made a formal complaint and then was seen by a doctor at the hospital as a precaution, although there was nothing serious."