European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023 - Montpellier, France
EJU President László TOTH points his thumb upwards and smiles. “MERCI, MONTPELLIER, MERCI, FRANCE. These three days were the best advertisement for European judo and for Judo France. The athletes had fun, the spectators were thrilled. That’s how JUDO works. I would say that these were the best European Judo…
5 November 2023European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023 - Montpellier, France
“This was by far the best European Championships ever,” emphasized EJU President László TOTH. The 72nd European Judo Championships (the tenth in France) in facts and figures:
5 November 2023European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023 - Montpellier, France
Concluding the Senior European Championships 2023 were the five remaining weight categories; -90kg, -78kg, -100kg, +78kg and +100kg. Georgia had three opportunities for gold, two women were looking to defend their European title, one of which, a French superstar. The final block was opened by the -90kg category, a strong…
5 November 2023European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023 - Montpellier, France
Matthias Casse comes, sees and conquers. The 26-year-old Belgian is not at the top of the world rankings in the 81 kg category for nothing. He has reached the final at each of the last four World Championships, won 1 gold and 3 silver medals, 4 Grand Slam and 2…
5 November 2023European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023 - Montpellier, France
486 athletes from 46 nations, 14 weight classes, 423 fights, 24 hours of world-class judo and 18,000 spectators. The European Championships in Montpellier were a complete success on all fronts. Stéphane NOMIS, President of the French Judo Federation (FFJDA), was in a correspondingly good mood during the interview. As the…
5 November 2023European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023 - Montpellier, France
Today is the third and final day of the Senior European Championships 2023 in Montpellier, France, and the last chance to see who will be crowned the new, or defending in the women’s case, champion. -90kg There was a huge surprise in this category in the opening contest of the…
5 November 2023European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023 - Montpellier, France
The French Judo Federation continued demonstrating their wonderful hospitality by hosting the European Judo Union Gala Dinner on the 4th of November. It was a beautiful event, recognising the work of both the European Judo Union and French Judo Federation during this 72nd European Judo Championships, and especially the awardees.…
5 November 2023European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023 - Montpellier, France
The final block of the second day here in Montpellier, France, certainly wasn’t what the home crowd was expecting. On day one, France dominated in the Senior European Championships 2023, however today there was more even distribution. Many were hoping to see the world and Olympic champion, Clarisse AGBEGNENOU (FRA)…
4 November 2023European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023 - Montpellier, France
Eight months before the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the French Judo Federation is mobilising all its forces. The drum is being beaten throughout the country. The programme is called “L’itinéraire des champions/Tour of Champions”. It aims to get the public in urban centres (from young to old people) interested…
4 November 2023European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023 - Montpellier, France
Welcome to day two of the Senior European Championships in Montpellier, France, the hive of sensational judo this weekend. Considering there are only four categories, the list of current and former champions, not only European, but world and Olympic champions was impressive. The The first semi final of the day…
4 November 2023European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023 - Montpellier, France
Kavan Majidi, -73 kg, member of the IJF Refugee Team, was particularly looking forward to the trip from Edinburgh to the European Championships in Montpellier. “I have good memories of France in general and Paris especially. A doctor put me up with him and his family for a few days.…
4 November 2023Shirine Boukli's Montpellier Story
In the opening weight category on day one of the Senior European Championships 2023, the spectators created what can only be described as the ‘French atmosphere’. We see it annually in the Paris Grand Slam, and they did not let their standards slip today, and it geared up the first…
4 November 2023European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023 - Montpellier, France
At 27 years of age, Denis Vieru (MDA/-66) has been one of the European Judo top shots for years. He has been on top of the IJF ranking for quite a while and has half a dozen of Grand Slam titles to his name, including the (most prestigeous) one in…
3 November 2023European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023 - Montpellier, France
It seemed that the arena breaking out in to ‘La Marseillaise’ prior to the final block commencing was a good omen for the athletes on day one of the Senior European Championships 2023. After nine years, the European Judo Union prime event has returned to Montpellier, France. The first of…
3 November 2023European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023 - Montpellier, France
Admittedly, the first day of the European Championships could have gone better for the IJF Refugee Team: Two fights, two defeats, total fight time: 1:54 minutes. Muna DAHOUK (-57/, born in Syria, now living in the Netherlands) lost with a hold, Mohammad RASHNONEZHAD (-60/ from Iran) was disqualified/Hansoku-make (after three…
3 November 2023European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023 - Montpellier, France
An arm injury prevents superstar Teddy RINER (FRA) from competing at the European Championships in Montpellier. But the three-time Olympic champion and ten-time world champion came to the first competition day as a VIP guest and cheered on his team-mates loudly. “It’s my first time in the hall since my…
3 November 2023European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023 - Montpellier, France
Finally, the time has come to see who can defend their European titles, or who will take up the prestige of becoming the champion. France are already a strong nation but the athletes are on home soil, there is an element of magic, matched with the support of their fans…
3 November 2023European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023 - Montpellier, France
Concluding the European Championship 2023 press conference in Montpellier, France, was national treasure and superstar, Romane DICKO. The +78kg category Olympic medallist, World and European Champion is preparing for her competition this Sunday, but first came to speak to the media ahead of the event. I’m really good, good in…
2 November 2023
European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023