Hopes Tournament Combines Education With Competition

With the first European Judo Hopes Tournament and Technical Session with Kodokan Experts of 2025 just around the corner, we’re catching up with one of the European Heroes that has been involved from the very start and is excited to continue her work.

Maria CENTRACCHIO of Italy has been a terrific role model to many young women, accomplishing her dream of an Olympic medal in the Tokyo Olympics, and since dedicating herself to passing on her knowledge and further her impact off the competition tatami.

For sure I can say that being part of this kind of event last year was very enriching on both technical and relational aspects. I had the opportunity to improve my teaching skills and to learn how to communicate with young people from many different countries. It was amazing how they were interested in discovering new ideas and how well they translated them in their own judo, even in the following days of competition. Combining the seminar with the competition contributed to create a safe environment for the young athletes, and for me too was an exceptional occasion for teaching and learning at the same time.

On the 12th and 13th of April, many young judoka and their coaches will arrive in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina for a very special weekend, learning from Kodokan Expert, NAKAMURA Misato, two-time Olympic medallist (2008, 2016) and three-time World Champion (2009, 2011, 2015) and taking part in an organised tournament where they can showcase their new skills.

In 2025, there will also be a new age division, now including U13, to give these young judoka an opportunity not only to learn but be inspired by an expert from the home of judo, Japan, as well as ‘European hero’ from their very own doorstep, encouraging them for the future. Along with Nakamura, HAGA Ryunosuke will be the expert in events later in the year, and the heroes will include Tina TRSTENJAK, Majlinda KELMENDI and Telma MONTEIRO.

Author: Thea Cowen

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