Gala Dinner 2025

In the midst of the senior European Judo Championships 2025, the annual Gala Dinner took place with several distinguished guests, including Mr. Marius VIZER, President of the International Judo Federation; Dr. TOTH Laszlo, Vice-President of the International Judo Federation and President of the European Judo Union; and Mr. Jovica RECEVIC, President of the Montenegrin Judo Federation. Following the welcome speeches by the aforementioned leaders, the official awards ceremony of the evening took place.

Best European Event 2024

Following a successful senior European Championships with an unrivalled crowd, world class judo and organisation in Zagreb, the winner of this award was the Croatian Judo Federation.

Presented by: Mr Marius VIZER, President of the International Judo Federation

Received by: Dr Sanda CORAK, President of the Croatian Judo Federation

Best Organiser 2024

The nation to receive this award excels in consistency, meeting every challenge with determination and visionary leadership. Their efforts have culminated in regularly hosting world ranking events and in recent years they have shown excellence in hosting developmental continental events as well. The winner of this award was the National Judo Federation of Estonia.

Presented by: Mrs Catarina RODRIGUES, Vice President of the European Judo Union

Received by: Mr Ruslan JAKIMOV, President of the National Judo Federation of Estonia

Best Female Judoka 2024

The winner of this award is a trailblazing judoka from Croatia, renowned for her exceptional achievements on the international stage. She is two-time world champion and took the European title in front of her home crowd in Zagreb, she has become a symbol of perseverance, excellence, and national pride. The winner of this award, the world ranked number one and -70kg Olympic Champion, Barbara MATIC (CRO).

Presented by: Urska ZOLNIR JUGOVAR, Head Sport Director of the European Judo Union

Received by: accepted the award on behalf of Barbara was Vladimir PRERADOVIC, Head Coach of Women’s Croatian National Judo Team.

Best Male Judoka 2024

This athlete made waves as a young judoka, taking European and World titles as a cadet and junior. He grew up in the shadow of his team mate but persevered, determined to fulfil his potential. In 2024, he took his fourth European title, which was succeeded by a World, then Olympic title. To accomplish all in the same year is exceptional. The winner of this award was Hidayat HEYDAROV (AZE).

Presented by: Dr TOTH Laszlo, President of the European Judo Union

Received by: Hidayat HEYDAROV, European, World and Olympic Champion

Best European Junior Female Judoka 2024

There are two athletes who achieved this status in 2024, the first is Austria’s -70kg Junior World Champion and U23 European Champion, and the second, France’s -63kg Junior World Champion and European bronze medallist. They both represented the European Judo Union on the world stage, demonstrating not only their talents but great character. The winners of this award were Elena DENGG (AUT) and Melkia AUCHECORNE (FRA).

Presented by: Dr Martin POIGER, Secretary General of the European Judo Union and Kristiina PEKKOLA, Vice President of the European Judo Union

Received by: Elena DENGG and accepted the award on behalf of Melkia was Frederique JOSSINET, General Manager of France Judo

Best European Junior Male Judoka 2024

Coming from a nation with the current double Olympic Champion in his weight category, this athlete carries both tremendous national pride and the desire to continue a legacy. After taking a bronze medal in the 2024 Junior European Championships, he was motivated to go one step further, and in exciting fashion, this athlete became the -90kg Junior World Champion. The winner of this award was Luka JAVAKHISHVILI (GEO).

Presented by: David KEVKHISHVILI, EJU Sport Director and Vice President of the Georgian Judo Federation

Received by: accepted the award on his behalf was Mr. Levan NOZADZE, President of the Georgian Judo Federation

Best European Women’s Coach 2024

Europe can boast many of the world’s top female athletes and the coach of this nation knows that his athletes are no exception. There were some big wins for Team Italy in 2024, and notable moments including an Olympic gold from Alice BELLANDI and World gold from Odette GIUFFRIDA, as well as two world silver medals. Therefore, the winner of this award was Francesco BRUYERE (ITA).

Presented by: Mr Sezer HUYSUZ, Sport Director of the European Judo Union

Received by: Francesco BRUYERE

Best European Men’s Coach 2024

In 2024, this coach secured European, two world and two Olympic titles, that is no easy feat for any nation, yet the leader of the Azerbaijan team can now boast the wonderful accomplishments of those around him, as well his own meaningful triumphs in the Olympic year. The winner of this award was Richard TRAUTMANN (AZE).

Presented by: Agron KUKA, Sport Director of the European Judo Union

Received by: Richard TRAUTMANN

Best European Female Referee 2024

All our world class referees deserve acknowledgement for their performances, inspiring those around them to commit to ‘just’ actions and fair play. On this occasion, the EJU was proud to present this award to two of their female referees, Roberta CHYURLIA (ITA) and Ioana BABIUC (ROU).

Presented by: Florin Daniel LASCAU, Head Referee Director of the International Judo Federation and Alexandr JATSKEVITCH, Head Referee Director of the European Judo Union.

Received by: Roberta CHYURLIA and Ioana BABIUC

Best European Male Referee 2024

This isn’t the first time, and perhaps not the last time EJU will recognise the depth of the work completed by this referee, a leader in many aspects of the sport, yet for 2024, he was recognised for his commitment to refereeing and his actions within our judo family. The winner of this award was Raul CAMACHO (ESP).

Presented by: Envic GALEA, General Treasurer of the European Judo Union

Received by: accepted the award on his behalf of Raul CAMACHO was FRIEDRICH Annamaria, EJU Referee Commissioner

Best European Mixed Team 2024

A formidable team, they are always the one to beat, and in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Team Japan were seeking revenge for their loss on home soil in Tokyo, however with the incredible crowd support and will, the winner of this award were able to defend their historic Mixed Team title and double up their Olympic status. Evidently, the winner of this award was Team FRANCE

Presented by: Mr Ivan TODOROV, Vice President of the European Judo Union

Received by: Ms Gevrise EMANE, Vice President of France Judo

To conclude the awards segment of the evening, special recognitions were presented by the EJU Bureau, namely, President Dr. Toth Laszlo, Vice President Mrs. Catarina Rodrigues, Vice President Mrs. Kristiina Pekkola, Vice President Mr. Ivan Todorov, Secretary General Dr. Martin Poiger and Treasurer Mr. Envic Galea to Mr. Aleksandar Damjanovic, former Minister of Finance of Montenegro; Mr. Novica Vukovic, Minister of Finance of Montenegro and to Mr Jovica Receive, President of the Montenegro Judo Federation.

Author: Szandra Szogedi