The 14th Nordic Open Kata Judo Tournament, held in Finland, marked a significant milestone in the judo community, not only by being the first of its kind to be held at the Tikkurila Judo Club, but also by introducing adapted kata judo to the event programme. With competitors from all over the world, including Canada, Germany and Luxembourg, this year’s tournament was a celebration of inclusivity, tradition and excellence in judo.
During the event, EJU Kata Judge, Hannu MUSTONEN was honoured for his longstanding dedication and service to the judo community. Mustonen, a revered figure in the Nordic judo scene, experienced a surprising and emotional moment when he was awarded the title of “Role Model of the Year” in the Nordic region and within the kata community. This accolade, the first of its kind, was conferred by Mr. Esa NIEMI, President of the National Judo Federation of Finland and Ms. Kristiina PEKKOLA, President of the National Judo Federation of Sweden and EJU Education Director, acknowledging Mustonen’s extraordinary commitment to kata both in the Nordic region and across Europe.
Ms Pekkola highlighted the importance of this award;
The award was announced today, and it’s the first time ever that such an honour has been given. Hannu Mustonen is a shining example of what it means to be a role model in the judo community. His dedication to kata is truly inspiring, and his influence spans both Nordic and European events.
The tournament took place at the Tikkurila Judo Club, located just 7 kilometres from Helsinki Airport. Despite being the first time, the club hosted such a prestigious event, the tournament was a resounding success, showcasing the club’s capability to host international competitions. The likes of Wolfgang DAX-ROMSWINKEL – Ulla LOOSEN duet, multiply European and world champions were also on site to practice ahead of the World Judo Kata Championships 2024. Mr Niemi had expressed his enthusiasm for the event, particularly highlighting the inclusion of adapted kata judo for the first time in Finland.
It’s really great that we have brought the event to Finland. This is the best cooperation with the Nordic countries, and we also have many participants from outside the Nordic countries, such as Canada, Germany and Luxembourg. This is the first time that adapted judo, which is developing in other parts of the world, is included in the event and we want to be a part of that development.
The tournament featured 26 participants in the adapted judo category, a testament to the growing inclusivity within the sport. This inclusion is in line with global trends as adapted judo continues to gain recognition and support from the international judo community.
Overall, the 14th Nordic Open Kata and the 1st Adapted Kata Judo Tournament were not just a celebration of judo excellence but also a significant step forward in making the sport more inclusive and accessible. Hannu Mustonen’s recognition as a role model further underscores the importance of dedication and commitment in fostering the growth of judo in the Nordic region and beyond.
Images: Julia Hamilton
Author: Szandra Szogedi