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As in previous years, the EJU Fair Play Commission will also be present at the European Championships Seniors Podgorica 2025 and the Kids Camp in Budva on Saturday, 26 April. The purpose of the Kids Camp is not only to develop techniques and throws but also to introduce participants to values that are integral to judo and defines the behaviour of a judoka. The EJU places great emphasis on conveying human values, including Fair Play. All participants will have the opportunity to learn about the values of Fair Play in a playful way, including team spirit, cooperation and attentiveness to one another.
Deregán Gábor, head of the EJU Fair Play Commission and a member of the International Fair Play Committee, knows firsthand the power of such values. At just 11-year-old, he received a Fair Play certificate for an act that still inspires:
“At a competition with hundreds of children, I was sitting at the edge of the tatami after losing two contests. Suddenly, one of the competitors, someone I didn’t know, had his judogi torn. The referee told him that if he didn’t have a replacement, he would be disqualified. He didn’t have a spare judoig and without hesitation, I took off mine and gave it to him so he could continue his competition. I had already been eliminated, so I knew I would not need it. At the end of the day, I was called up to the podium and given a Fair Play certificate. I didn’t understand its meaning back then, but I have since learned and now proudly share this story with young people. Life gives us moments where helping others makes all the difference. These small acts make us more. As the Fair Play motto says: Fair Play is more than victory.”
Children who visit the Fair Play stand on Saturday and join in the activities will receive a special EJU souvenir as a memento of their experience. Fair Play is more than a concept, it promotes respect, honesty and compassion both on and off the mat. It teaches everyone that character matters just as much as performance and that true strength lies in how we treat one another. In a world that often prioritises winning, Fair Play reminds us that how we win and how we support others, defines who we are.
Author: Szandra Szogedi