Estonia’s Judo Association president Kaido KALJULAID still only has the EUROPEAN JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS JUNIORS in his home town of Tallinn on his mind. “We hope for two medals. We are fighting for public attention, sporting success would help us a lot.” A new chapter in the 53-year-old’s life begins on Sunday at 9 p.m. at the latest. “There will be new elections in our association in October and I will no longer be standing for president.” Medals at the U-21 European Championships would be most welcome.
“On Sunday, I would like to say goodbye to the 80 volunteers of the European Judo Championships Juniors. I hope the event continues to run as smoothly as it did in the first few hours,” says Kaljulaid. On Sunday, at 9 pm sharp, his plane leaves for neighbouring Lithuania, to Klaipeda to be precise. Then a new chapter in his life begins. “I start on Monday as managing director of the National Anti-Doping Agency in Estonia. My business trip to Klaipeda is a first meeting with my NADA colleagues from neighbouring countries.”
The Estonian Judo Association – with just two full-time employees – has over 6,000 active members and 40 member clubs. 95 per cent of the active members are children and young people. “We don’t lack young talent, but we do lack good young coaches,” says the trained investment banker. He should know. Most recently, his son Klen Kristopher has been flying the flag, in the truest sense of the word. The 29-year-old qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris and was chosen to carry the Estonian flag at the Olympic opening ceremony. “I was there when he won his first round fight and was a very proud father,’ says Kaido with shining eyes. Since Estonia became independent in 1991, the national Judo Association has been represented by at least one athlete at all nine Summer Olympic Games. A total of three medals have already been won. “We are expecting at least two or three starters in Los Angeles 2028. We have very strong youngsters and juniors.”
His new NADA employment contract runs for five years. It cannot be ruled out that Kaido Kaljulaid will then return to judo. Until then, he only has one fixed date per week. “If I’m in the country, I can’t miss judo training on Tuesday evenings under any circumstances.” This counts for next week too.
Author: EJU Media