Man of the world Sami Chouchi misses out on his Olympic dream

Belgian judoka Sami Chouchi has faced a disappointment in his quest to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Despite his valiant efforts to qualify in the -90 kg weight class, Chouchi was unable to secure enough points to rank among the top 23 judokas in the clean World Ranking. The competition within Belgium for the continental quota place was fierce, and it was his teammate Toma Nikiforov who ultimately captured this final opportunity, leaving Chouchi to watch the Games from the sidelines.

Born in 1992, in Brussels, Chouchi has been dedicated to judo since a young age. His mother enrolled him and his older brother in the judo club at La Chenaie in Uccle when he was around four or five years old, primarily to help him channel his hyperactive energy and improve his concentration. Judo quickly became more than just an outlet; it educated him and became a central part of his life.

Chouchi resides in Stockholm, Sweden, where he trains, often with his training partner Heydar Pashaev. His main club is Judo Club la Chenaie in Belgium, where he has trained under coaches Alexandre Lespineux and Cedric Taymans. Chouchi's versatility is evident in his multilingual abilities; he speaks English, Flemish, French, Spanish, and Swedish, which has likely helped him navigate the international judo scene.

Throughout his career, Chouchi has achieved significant milestones. He made a notable impression at the IJF World Championships, finishing seventh in the men's -81 kg category in 2021 and ninth in the men's -90 kg category in 2023. On the World Tour, he has had several podium finishes, including gold in the men's -81 kg at the Tbilisi Grand Slam in 2021, and bronze in the men's -90 kg at the Zagreb Grand Prix in 2023, his only world cup medal in this weight category which wasn't enough. Additionally, he has a collection of medals from various Grand Slam and Grand Prix events, highlighting his consistent performance over the years.

Despite these accomplishments, Chouchi has faced recurring challenges in his Olympic journey. In the previous Olympic cycle, he moved up to the -90 kg category due to the stiff competition in the -81 kg category, where Matthias Casse was a dominant force. This move, however, did not yield the desired result as he just missed qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics as well.

Sami Chouchi's personal life is as rich as his judo career. Engaged and a father to two children, he balances his family life with his rigorous training schedule. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Motor Sciences from the Free University of Brussels, underscoring his commitment to education alongside his athletic pursuits.

Known for his love of family, spending time with friends, and enjoying good restaurants and beer, Chouchi is also deeply influenced by notable athletes like Kosei Inoue and Anthony Joshua. His sporting philosophy, "Everything happens for a reason. One chance is all you need," reflects his resilient attitude towards the setbacks he has faced.

Sami Chouchi remains a dedicated and inspirational figure in the world of judo, ever hopeful for future opportunities and driven by a deep passion for his sport and the friendships that comes along the journey.