Tbilisi Grand Slam 2025 - Tbilisi, Georgia

CHKHVIMIANI HANGS UP HIS BELT

A great talent right from the start, Lukhumi CHKHVIMIANI of Georgia was medalling on the continental championship level as a cadet in 2009, didn’t see so much competition as a junior which is not so unusual in a nation that is churning out talent like no other. Then were better…

24 March 2025

Tbilisi Grand Slam 2025 - Tbilisi, Georgia

THE WAITING GAME

With the five remaining categories competing for gold on day three of the Tbilisi Grand Slam 2025, there was slight disappointment for the hosts who didn’t manage to hear their anthem, though they still acquired three medals; Giorgi JABNIASHVILI (bronze, -90kg), Irakli DEMETRASHVILI (bronze, +100kg) and Guram TUSHISHVILI (silver, +100kg).…

23 March 2025

Pordenone Kata Tournament 2025 - Pordenone, Italy

PORDENONE DELIVERED AGAIN

On 22 March 2025, the city of Pordenone became the hub of European judo, hosting their annual EJU Kata Tournament. The event attracted 164 competitors in 82 pairs, representing 14 nations from across the continent. The gender distribution saw 92 men and 72 women, signalling close balance in participation. Throughout, the audience embraced all kata…

22 March 2025

Tbilisi Grand Slam 2025 - Tbilisi, Georgia

THE KING REMAINS

The performance of Georgia’s superstar Lasha SHAVDATUSHAVILI was a huge reason to celebrate on day two of the Tbilisi Grand Slam. As the first Georgian to achieve European, World and Olympic Champion titles, he is of course held in high regard, and carries the pressures that naturally comes with those…

22 March 2025

THE JUDO WORLD MOURNS THE LOSS OF GERHARD JUNGWIRTH, A PILLAR OF AUSTRIAN JUDO

The European Judo Union, alongside the Austrian judo family, mourns the passing of Gerhard Jungwirth. The Salzburger died at the age of 72. As Referee Director, Gerhard has played a major role in shaping the Austrian Judo Federation’s refereeing system over the past decades, ensuring clear and fair conditions at…

22 March 2025

Tbilisi Grand Slam 2025 - Tbilisi, Georgia

A DREAM COME TRUE

On her third attempt in the Tbilisi Grand Slam, 20 year-old Nino LOLADZE (GEO) fought her way to a place on the podium, the perfect place to secure her first IJF World Judo Tour medal. Loladze demonstrated the typical Georgian style throughout her preliminaries, huge throws throughout, only losing out…

21 March 2025

GEORGIA TO HOST SENIOR EUROPEANS 2026

Georgia will host the European Judo Championship Seniors in 2026. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze discussed details related to the tournament during a meeting with Dr Toth Laszlo, President of the European Judo Union. The Prime Minister noted that the Georgian Government will contribute to the further development of cooperation…

21 March 2025

In celebration of World Down Syndrome Day

MARYSIA’S JOURNEY

A Double Birth, A Single Moment of Shock When Karolina became a mother at 27, she expected the usual joys and surprises of welcoming twins into the world. Nothing prepared her for the moments she recalls shortly after their birth. “I learned that one of my children was born with…

21 March 2025

144th IOC Session

KIRSTY COVENTRY ELECTED. THE FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT OF THE IOC.

Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe has been elected as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), becoming the first female President in IOC history. The election took place during the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, with Coventry securing victory after a single round of voting. She triumphed…

20 March 2025

Tbilisi Grand Slam 2025 - Tbilisi, Georgia

TEAM CONTINUES TO GROW

The Georgian women’s team doesn’t have quite the depth of the men’s yet, but it is growing and has some strong contenders this weekend in the Tbilisi, starting with the -57kg category. Defending Tbilisi Grand Slam winner, Eteri LIPARTELIANI is currently #9 in the world ranking list, supported by numerous…

20 March 2025

GUILLAUME ELMONT AS NEW DIRECTOR

From 1st of May 2025, Guillaume Elmont will step into the role of Director of Elite Sports at Judo Bond Nederland (JBN). The former judo world champion will be responsible for shaping the elite sports strategy for both judo and jiujitsu in the Netherlands. Elmont enjoyed a stellar career as…

20 March 2025

EJU PRESIDENT VISITS IJF ACADEMY

The IJF Academy has been a cornerstone of judo education for several years, consistently refining the expertise of coaches across the globe. Under the leadership of a dedicated team, the institution has expanded its reach, ensuring that technical proficiency remains at the highest level. To date, the academy boasts a remarkable 3,000 graduates…

19 March 2025

Tbilisi Grand Slam 2025 - Tbilisi, Georgia

DEFENDING THE NATION

As one of the most patriotic nations in judo, it is unsurprising that the Georgian team are ready and rallying to rise up and take the gold medal on home soil during the Tbilisi Grand Slam 2025. There are some heavy hitters in the line up for Team Georgia, led…

19 March 2025

Tbilisi Grand Slam 2025 - Tbilisi, Georgia

FIRST STOP WARSAW. SECOND STOP TBILISI.

Poland’s Angelika SZYMANSKA has been a transformative character on the IJF World Judo Tour in the last cycle and is now an established front runner in the -63kg category. Before she embarked back on the grand tour, she took the opportunity to use the Warsaw European Open as a warm…

18 March 2025

WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK?

As another week commences, from development programs to premier international contests, judoka across different levels are gearing up for a period of growth and competition. Buckle up…,here is what’s coming your way! From 17-19 March, Porec is the place to be for judo’s rising stars! At the back of the…

17 March 2025

Porec Millennium Team Cadet European Cup 2025 - Porec, Croatia

BEŠKER AND AJDUKOVIĆ TOOK BRONZE FOR CROATIA

Author: Croatian Judo Federation Two medals for Croatia at the Poreč Millennium Team European Cadet Cup! After a busy weekend in the sports hall “Žatika”, we welcomed the first medals, and all the credits goes to Ana BEŠKER (JC “Solin”) and Antea AJDUKOVIĆ (JC “Pujanke” – Split). In the fight…

16 March 2025

Riga Senior European Cup 2025 - Riga, Latvia

STRONG WEEKEND FOR LATVIA JUDO

The Riga European Senior Judo Cup for took place in Riga, bringing together athletes from 23 countries. The tournament became a significant event in the sports calendar, gathering some of Europe’s strongest judokas on the tatami. On the first day of the competition, Latvia’s national team leader, Anthony DE ANGELIS,…

16 March 2025

Riga Senior European Cup 2025 - Riga, Latvia

WIN AT HOME FOR DE ANGELIS

On day one of the Riga Senior European Cup 2025, there were big celebrations for the home crowd as Anthony DE ANGELIS of Latvia took the gold medal in the -66kg category. This is my second gold medal in a tournament of this category, and I am very happy that…

16 March 2025