Doha World Championships Seniors 2023 - Doha, Qatar
Though the lighter of the men’s weight categories are historically Asia-dominant, the playing field appears too start levelling out as we veer in to the -73kg category. Fan-favourite and arguably the most experienced in this weight is Lasha SHAVDATUASHVILI (GEO), the only athlete from his nation to complete the title…
1 May 2023Doha World Championships Seniors 2023 - Doha, Qatar
The -57kg category has it’s fair share of contenders. In fact, the top three in the category have world titles, with the front runner, Rafaela SILVA (BRA) the current red back patch holder. Following are 2019 and 2021 world champions, Christa DEGUCHI and Jessica KLIMKAIT, both of Canada. Still, we…
1 May 2023Gori Cadet European Cup 2023 - Gori, Georgia
It probably comes as little surprise that the host nation, Georgia, managed to finish in third place in the medal table during the Gori Cadet European Cup. Whilst there were well known names from other countries, namely that of Türkiye and even India, the Georgian cadets are relatively fresh. As…
30 April 2023Doha World Championships Seniors 2023 - Doha, Qatar
Leading the -52kg charge is current -48kg Olympic champion, Distria KRASNIQI (KOS). She may be the top of the pile in this instance but it is in the absence of the world number one, Chelsie GILES (GBR). Some may notice a few top athletes have tactically decided not to enter…
30 April 2023Doha World Championships Seniors 2023 - Doha, Qatar
The past five years, and beyond, the -66kg category was dominated by Japanese judoka. The top couple, ABE Hifumi and MARUYAMA Joshiro, will arrive to Doha to dare the rest of the 51 judoka to challenge them. Europe has the upper hand when looking at the list of seeded players. Can…
30 April 2023Doha World Championships Seniors 2023 - Doha, Qatar
The opening day of the World Judo Championships 2023 will stream the women’s -48kg category and men’s -60kg category. The latter with the total of 42 entries. Amongst top seeds, four European judoka are visible. During last year’s world championships, the -60kg category was dominated by Asia. The closest to come…
29 April 2023Doha World Championships Seniors 2023 - Doha, Qatar
Without looking past the top three entries in the -48kg category, we immediately recognise a fierce tête-à-tête between Shirine BOUKLI and Blandine PONT. The French duo have an enviable collection between them, but the conversation is way more focussed on the latter at the moment. Pont’s consecutive successes have seen…
29 April 2023Games of Small States of Europe - Valetta, Malta
The Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) is a biennial multi-sport event, launched by the Republic of San Marino in 1985, featuring nine European small states. The GSSE gives an exceptional opportunity to the smallest European countries to stage and compete at a viable level. The GSSE was last…
28 April 2023Switzerland is a central European country, home to numerous lakes, villages, and the high peaks of the Alps. The country is famous for its mountains, watches, and its food, especially cheese and chocolates. Switzerland spreads across 41,285 km² and is also known for its ski resorts and hiking trails. Banking and finance are key industries with…
28 April 2023Hungarian judo icon, KARAKAS Hedvig, or as others call her ‘Hédi’ has officially bowed out from life as an elite athlete. Karakas dedicated 23 years of her life to her beloved sport and now she is excited to take on various adventures life has to offer for her. Between her university exams…
27 April 2023Athletes' Commission finally fixed
NEW! The European Judo Union is counting on the support of the EJU Athletes’ Commission from now on. “We will involve them in all sports matters, counting on their experience and know-how”, confirms EJU Vice-President Hrvoje LINDI. Together, the nine athlete representatives have won six Olympic medals (two of them…
27 April 2023Gori Cadet European Cup 2023 - Gori, Georgia
Georgia is ready. Tomorrow the live draw (live.ijf.org) will determine the fate of these young cadet athletes as many debut in their first international event, and some who are a little more seasoned on the European circuit. A total of 324 athletes are competing this weekend from 16 countries in…
27 April 2023Doha World Championships Seniors 2023 - Doha, Qatar
In the most recent IJF event, the Antalya Grand Slam, 20 year-old Anastasija SOKIRJANSKA of Latvia grabbed the attention of many as she took the current world and former Olympic champion, Rafaela SILVA (BRA) in to golden score in the third round. What this meant for Sokirjanksa is that she…
26 April 2023Doha World Championships Seniors 2023 - Doha, Qatar
The upcoming world championships offers different values to each participants. There are the so-called superstars and there are other stars, champions of their own, from places that might be small in size but undoubtedly big in heart. Some athletes are able to prepare for tournaments with fixed financial resources whilst…
25 April 2023EJU extends official partnership with FUJI MATS until the end of 2024
They know and appreciate each other. The European Judo Union and the US mat manufacturer FUJI MATS are extending their partnership for another two years, until the end of 2024. This guarantees the European member federations continued top quality judo mats at a preferential price. “Jimmy Pedro knows the needs…
25 April 2023Gori Cadet European Cup 2023 - Gori, Georgia
Georgia is one of the strongest judo nations, on the tatami and also in regards to their community and fans. This was seen in the Tbilisi Grand Slam this year, with the arena filling to see their Olympic and World heroes. In this country, judo is not simply a sport…
24 April 2023Doha World Championships Seniors 2023 - Doha, Qatar
In Doha, the top 8 seeding system will be implemented as per protocols. Whilst most of the time the seeding can give an indication of the outcome, at the 2023 World Judo Championships, it might just remain a decorum. There are a mixture of class acts and probable shockers who are…
23 April 2023EJU focuses on Adaptive Judo topics
30 delegates from 14 nations met for a three-day Adaptive Judo Workshop in Munich. The workshop was hosted by the EJU Vice Presidents Sergei ASCHWANDEN, Otto KNEITINGER and Secretary General Martin POIGER. “We are coordinating across Europe on all topics concerning Adaptive Judo matters. We want to attract people with…
22 April 2023
Doha World Championships Seniors 2023