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 SCHMIT, who shared the inspiring journey of this young yet ambitious club.
A Club Born from Vision and Growth
The Stroossen Judo Club may be a newcomer to some but its journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Founded in 2012, the club’s first training sessions only began in 2017 after the completion of its sports hall. Since then, the club has experienced rapid growth, currently boasting 284 members, making it Luxembourg’s largest judo club. Schmit, who has been with the club since its early days and has served as its president since 2021, attributes this growth to several factors:
The reasons for this growth are of course the very central location, close to the capital of Luxembourg, but also the high-quality infrastructure and the quality of the coaches. We decided to hire a professional coach in 2021, Arnaud GRISIER, also our head-coach now in Montpellier. Finally, adding a great importance in our growth is the fact that younger athletes also help out as assistant coaches and start coach education. Finally, the goals we set ourselves as a club is a factor itself.
ECC Champions League Montpellier 2024
For Stroossen Judo Club, participating in the ECC Champions League 2024 is about more than just competition. Schmit explains:
One reason is undoubtedly the fact that we are very lucky to have a team that, while very young (average age 20), is complete and very motivated to take part. We have young competitors who train seriously and assiduously on a daily basis, and we see this as an opportunity to give them a superb experience, to gain international experience at the highest level, but also to show what they are capable of. They are among the best athletes in Luxembourg and are the future of Luxembourg judo. I see our participation as a promise to them, that they have our club’s full supports, that we believe in them and at the same time an investment in their future.
Another reason is to show the youngest athletes in our club but also in other local clubs, that Luxembourg can have ambitions in judo. I see it as a way of nurturing the dreams and ambitions of our youngest athletes. Luxembourg judo has come a long way in the last ten to fifteen years. We have more and more professional coaches, judoka and employees within the federation and the clubs. I think we need to build on this national momentum and show that Luxembourg judo doesn’t have to hide. In any case, it is a great source of honour and motivation for the Judo Club Stroossen to represent our town, our country and all Luxembourg judoka this weekend in Montpellier.
The club’s partnership with the French club, called Budokan Deuil Colombes, adds an extra layer of strength and camaraderie. This collaboration emerged after Stroossen secured double titles in the 2024 national senior team championships, propelling their ECC ambitions forward.
An Almost Historic Moment
While Stroossen Judo Club’s participation might feel groundbreaking, it is not the first time Luxembourg has competed at this level. In 1976, Judo Club Esch represented the nation, paving the way for clubs like Stroossen to follow in their footsteps nearly five decades later. A press conference was held before their departure to spread the words of their dedication further. Schmit hopes this marks the beginning of a new tradition;
It is an honour to represent Luxembourg and our club but also to show that with dedication, even small nations can dream big.
With Luxembourg judo continuing to grow, highlighted by the upcoming appointment of Sébastien GIRARDEY as National Technical Director from March 2025, the future looks bright. Stroossen’s participation in Montpellier is another step toward establishing Luxembourg as a contender on the European judo stage.
Images: Tom Schmidt
Author: Szandra Szogedi