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 Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Belgian judo player Dirk Van Tichelt's Olympic medal celebrations were thrown out of kilter when he was punched in the face by a thief who stole his mobile phone on Copacabana beach.

The Belgian Olympic Committee said Van Tichelt, 32, who won a bronze medal in the men's 73kg event at the Rio Games, was hit as he chased the thief on the popular strip late on Monday.

Van Tichelt, who was taken to hospital for observation, appeared sporting a black eye at a media event on Tuesday.

PA Media