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European Judo Champion Henk Grol switches to O100kg after Rio

European Judo Champion Henk Grol switches to O100kg after Rio

14 Apr 2016 12:05
European Judo Union / EJU / Copyright: www.eju.net

European title defender Henk Grol says he is planning to change to the category +100kg after the Olympic Games. The double Olympic medallist in 2008 and 2012 is selected for his third Olympics and will defend his European title in Kazan in two weeks time. Grol: “I’m completely done with losing weight.”

He confirmed again he would consider his judo career as failed without an Olympic title. At a press conference held one day before his birthday the triple vice world champion said that the European Championships are a good practice to get some rhythm and confidence. Ten days ago in Samsun he couldn’t fight due to illness while being in Samsun and illness and injuries have had an impact over the last few years on the double European champion. Next Saturday Grol can continue to find his form in Kazan.

The Dutch team announced a modest and realistic expectation of three medals in Kazan. Last year the Netherlands captured three European titles. Three Olympic medals would be a great achievement at Olympic Games. In London Henk Grol and Edith Bosch were the two medallists. At the last World Championships, only Marhinde Verkerk won a (bronze) medal in Astana. Grol lost his first bout against later World Champion Haga who defeated him three times. In their first encounter in 2014 Grol won.

Read a previous interview with Henk Grol about his ambitions.

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