World Ranked #1

WAGNER ON TOP OF THE WORLD

NAME: Anna-Maria WAGNER COUNTRY: GERMANY CATEGORY: -78kg WORLD RANKING POINTS: 7753 Anna-Maria WAGNER wrapped up the season as the world rank leader in the -78kg category, proving once again that grit and grace are an unbeatable combination. This was not without its challenges, as relentless competition tested her every move. Adding…

World Ranked #1

BEKAURI FULFILS HIS OWN PROPHET

NAME: LASHA BEKAURI COUNTRY: GEORGIA CATEGORY: -90KG WORLD RANKING POINTS: 6000 Lasha BEKAURI’s first senior medal on the IJF World Judo came in 2019, an astounding Masters win in Qingdao drew a great deal of attention. It is no surprise as this is one of the most successful categories of Georgian…

World Ranked #1

MAGICAL CONCLUSION FOR MATIC

NAME: BARBARA MATIC COUNTRY: CROATIA CATEGORY: -70KG WORLD RANKING POINTS: 8029 Barbara MATIC of Croatia concludes 2024 as the world ranked number one athlete in the -70kg category. It has not only been a fairytale year, but a cycle for Matic who twice claimed the World title, before adding a European…

World Ranked #1

GRIGALASHVILI RETURNS TO TOP SPOT

NAME: TATO GRIGALASHVILI COUNTRY: GEORGIA CATEGORY: -81KG WORLD RANKING POINTS: 6435 It was nothing short of a successful year for the supreme athlete, Tato GRIGALASHVILI of Georgia. With his major wins this year, he can now proclaim himself a three-time World Champion and three-time European Champion, – six including his triumphs…

World Ranked #1

THE YEAR HEYDAROV CONQUERED THE WORLD

NAME: HIDAYAT HEYDAROV  COUNTRY: AZERBAIJAN CATEGORY: -73KG WORLD RANKING POINTS: 8004 2024 was the year for Heydarov, kick starting with a European Championship win in Zagreb, he followed up by taking the World Championship title in Abu Dhabi a mere month later. With the ultimate goal of becoming Olympic Champion, some…

World Ranked #1

THE QUEEN OF -63KG AND SLOVENIA'S GOLDEN LEGACY

NAME: Andreja LESKI COUNTRY: SLOVENIA CATEGORY: -63kg WORLD RANKING POINTS: 6366 When you think of power, precision, and a touch of Slovenian charm wrapped into one athlete, well, you may have many names to mention. However, for this year, it would be Andreja LEŠKI, the name that effortlessly springs to mind.…

SEASONS GREETINGS FROM PRESIDENT TOTH

To all of our European Judo Family,  I would like to send best wishes on behalf of the European Judo Union during this festive period and to conclude an exceptionally successful year.  Not only can we celebrate the triumph of our Olympic medallists in Paris 2024, but we can be…

World Ranked #1

THE POCKET DYNAMO WHO TOOK 2024 BY STORM

NAME: Luka MKHEIDZE COUNTRY: FRANCE CATEGORY: -60kg WORLD RANKING POINTS: 6104 In the fast-paced world of judo, 2024 will forever be remembered as the year Luka Mkheidze ascended to the throne of the -60kg category, finishing as the undisputed world number one. With a style as quick as lightning and a…

ECC Champions League 2024 - Mixed Team - Montpellier, France

PSG! PSG! PSG!

The final everyone anticipated, the star-studded line up of Paris Saint-Germain against the wilful power of Red Star Belgrade, who endured a gruelling semi final to reach the prominent position within the FDI Stadium in Montpellier, France. Up first was multiple Olympic medallist, Romane DICKO in the +70kg category for…

ECC Champions League 2024 - Mixed Team - Montpellier, France

CLEAN SWEEP FOR GOLDEN GORI

Following an all-French collision for the first bronze medal, the FDI Stadium welcomed teams from Georgia and Ukraine to the tatami; Golden Gori and Judo Ukraine, to decide the second bronze medal. The teams bowed, and left the tatami, leaving only their +70kg women; Sophio SOMKHISHVILI (Gori) and Ruslana BULAVINA…

ECC Champions League 2024 - Mixed Team - Montpellier, France

JUDO NICE METROPOLE START THE CELEBRATIONS

In an all-French bronze medal contest, there was no surprise that the crowd instantly came alive in the final block of the European Club Championships – Champions League 2024. SGS Judo took on Judo Nice Metropole for the chance to claim bronze, and opening the head to head were the…

ECC Champions League 2024 - Mixed Team - Montpellier, France

STRAIGHT SET AND A DRAW

The semi final contests in the European Club Championships – Champions League 2024 could not have been more opposite. Paris Saint-German (PSG) were the first to secure their place in the Champions League final, completing their devastating straight set against Ukraine Judo before the first contest on the adjoining mat…

ECC Champions League 2024 - Mixed Team - Montpellier, France

IT'S A WHO'S WHO LINE UP

At 8am on Saturday the 21st of December, two hours before the doors of the FDI Stadium opened, avid judo fans and clubs alike were lining up at the ticket office, hoping to get a seat to watch their national heroes compete in the grand finale of the year, the…

MR KRIŠANDA: ELEVATING SLOVAKIAN JUDO TO EUROPEAN PROMINENCE

Mr. Ján KRIŠANDA, a former judoka and the esteemed former president of the Slovakian Judo Federation for an impressive 16 years, continues to play a pivotal role in the advancement of sports in Slovakia. Currently serving as the State Secretary for Tourism and Sports, his dedication to fostering growth and…

ECC Champions League 2024 - Mixed Team - Montpellier, France

MONTPELLIER IS READY

Concluding the year, the European Judo Union are collaborating with the French Judo Federation for one of the greatest celebrations of judo in the calendar. Once again, Montpellier will play host to a prime event, the European Club Championships – Champions League 2024. The city can also celebrate that they…

The Retirement of Telma Monteiro

"I AM AT PEACE."

While the judo world turns its focus to Montpellier and the battles yet to unfold, another chapter quietly closes. Telma MONTEIRO, a beacon of excellence and perseverance in judo, has recently announced her retirement. Her journey, which has inspired countless fans and athletes, now transitions into a new phase, one…

Digital Administrative and Training Assistant (DATA) Project

DATA MEETING CONCLUDED IN RIJEKA

Between 18-19 December, the picturesque city of Rijeka, Croatia, welcomed partners from across Europe for the meeting of the Digital Administrative and Training Assistant (DATA) project. Against the backdrop of this vibrant city, the event laid the groundwork for an ambitious initiative designed to reshape sports management and training through…

ECC Champions League 2024 - Mixed Team - Montpellier, France

STROOSSEN JUDO CLUB STEPS INTO THE SPOTLIGHT IN MONTPELLIER 

As the ECC Champions League 2024 prepares to captivate judo enthusiasts in Montpellier, much has been said about the competing teams. Yet, one team remains a fresh and exciting story: Team Luxembourg, represented this year by the Stroossen Judo Club. We had the opportunity to speak with club president, Tom…