An official EJU kata tournament was organised for the first time in Radom, Poland where in cooperation with the Polish Judo Federation every segment of the competition was delivered at the highest level. The event itself brought together a final sum of 51 couples from 11 countries. Victories were shared amongst several nations.
The number of entries are notably growing across cadets and during the Nage-no-Kata cadet finals, Aleksandra Rutkowska – Pola Porczynska duet managed to thrive on top with a total of 236.0 points, claiming gold on home grounds. Hungary took glory in the Nage-no-Kata juniors event via Osz Regina and Kampel Eszter. The pair shined with a completed 388.5 points. Slovenia’s Kora Kojc – Tito Kroflic Karanjac stepped in and on top of the podium at the Katame-no-Kata juniors final with a round of 365.5 points. By default, yet the winner of the Ju-no-Kata juniors final was Polish pair Antoni Ptak – Stanislaw Ptak.
More wins were bagged by Poland as Bartosz Machna – Dawid Kajdy duo took glory in the senior Nage-no-Kata final. Italy added to their already extensive kata collection when Michael Chiara – Marco Corvetti took gold in the Katame-no-Kata finals (403.5). The winner of the Ju-no-Kata pair needs no introduction, well decorated Giovanni Tarabelli – Angelica Tarabelli once again shined the Italian flag with an overall 407.5 points. Germany stepped in to take over the Kime-no-Kata finals where Tobias Meier – Joerg Schroeder topped the podium via 495.5 points. Another category where we have seen increased number of entires is Goshin Jutsu and this time, Spanish duet Juana Maria Puigserver Sanso – Llorenc Gaya Puiserver took gold (518.5).
EJU Head Kata Commissioner, Dr Slavisa Bradic shared his thoughts on this first time experience;
The event was organised at high standard. More importantly the first medal at the EJU Kata tournament by competitors from Azerbaijan was achieved and the exceptional quality of young competitors from Czechia, Hungary, Slovenia and of course Poland, who will definitely win European or world medals, should also be highlighted.
The entire atmosphere of the competition was extremely positive, and it is certain that this tournament will be organized next year as well.
In addition to the tournament, a seminar and exam for kata judges was held and the Polish Judo Federation used EJU experts for an additional seminar. Thus, after the competition, a separate seminar on Nage-no-Kata and Katame-no-Kata was held for numerous competitors, coaches and kata judges from Poland, Azerbaijan and Great Britain.
The seminars were led by EJU Head Kata Commissioner, Dr. Slavisa Bradic as well as kata committee members Stefan Bernreuther and Dimitri Nemegaire. Radom was the last competition before the European Judo Championship Kata 2024, which will be held in Sarajevo next month.
Images: Polish Judo Federation
Author: Szandra Szogedi