The 72nd European Judo Championships Seniors are history. “They were of a high standard in terms of sport and organisation. We are super happy,” emphasised EJU President Dr László TOTH. We take a look back at the eventful four days in ZAGREB (CRO) in the form of facts and figures.
European Judo Championships Seniors Zagreb 2024:
- 427 judoka (187 women/240 men) from 47 nations took part in the 72nd European Judo Championships in Zagreb (CRO). The most popular categories in terms of numbers were the men’s category – 73 kg (46 starters) and the women’s category – 63 (37 starters).
- A total of 483 fights (435 singles, 48 mixed teams) were held over the four days. 81.3 per cent of the fights (393) were decided with a score, including 38% with Ippon (184). 18.10 per cent of the fights (87) ended with the 3rd shido (for one of the two judoka).
- A total of nine nations won at least one European Championship title, 20 medals. The best nation was Georgia with 2 x gold, 3 x silver, 3 x bronze, followed by Azerbaijan (2-1-0) and France (1-2-3). (For comparison: in 2023 in Montpellier, the Georgians won 4 silver medals in the individual categories. Host nation France took 5 gold and 4 bronze last November).
- Only one athlete, Hidayat Heydarov (AZE/73), successfully defended his title.
- The home victory by Barbara Matic (CRO/-70), after three European Championship bronze medals to date, was the first European Championship gold medal since Goran Zuvela in London in 1974, i.e. in 49 years and 11 months (or 18,255 days).
- A total of 10,000 spectators were counted in the Zagreb Arena over the four days of competition.
- The Croatian organisers deployed 563 employees, including 30 helpers.
- 300 kilometres of cable were laid in the Zagreb Arena.
- 17,000 meals were served to the 47 delegations from Thursday to Sunday.
- More than 20 TV stations broadcasted the event.
Author: EJU Media