The European Judo Hopes Cup and Technical Session with Kodokan Experts is concluding the year of 2024 in Riga. Over the past months, this has been an incredible addition to the EJU Calendar, giving unrivalled opportunity to young athletes from around Europe.
The Kodokan expert invited to this event is TAKIMOTO Makoto, who will deliver the technical session and be present during the competition, as will Olympic medallist and member of the EJU Athletes Commission, Maria CENTRACCHIO of Italy.
This will be the seventh edition of this event in 2024, having successfully being implemented, it will undoubtedly continue to improve the technical level of the young judoka on the continent, gifted with the expertise of the Kodokan.
For the 13 and 14 year-olds taking part, they have the chance to mix competition and education, both learning experiences with professionally dressed competition halls and the technical workshops in-between. For many, this level of education would never be available, but with focus on the development of judo in Europe, this was non negotiable for the president of the European Judo Union, Dr Laszlo TOTH.
Previous editions have also welcomed former Olympians, the ‘European Heroes’ including Majlinda KELENDI (KOS), Tina TRSTENJAK (SLO), Automne PAVIA (FRA) and Rustam ORUJOV (AZE). Europe are overwhelmed with gratitude to have specialists including Takimoto, NAKAMURA Misato and MIKIHIRO Mukai extending their friendship and knowledge to the future generations.
Author: Thea Cowen