The Belgian Olympic committee says judo competitor Dirk Van Tichelt was hit in the face during celebrations of his bronze medal performance on Copacabana beach.

It said that his phone was stolen late Monday on the popular strip and that he was hit as he was chasing the local thief.

Van Tichelt was taken to hospital for observation but needed no further treatment. He appeared with a black eye at a media event on Tuesday.

[NATL] Day 4: Highlights From the Rio Olympics