Under the title, The 3rd Judo Awards was a spectacular evening celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the National Judo Federation of Slovakia. The event honoured the finest judoka of 2024 and highlighted the rich history and promising future of judo in the country. The event was graced by distinguished guests, including the president of the European Judo Union, Dr. TOTH László; Minister of Sport, Dušan KEKETI; Minister of Health, Kamil SASKO and the president of the National Olympic Committee of Slovakia, Anton SIEKEL. Their presence underscored the importance of this milestone and the significant role of judo in Slovakia.
The evening recognised exceptional achievements across various categories:
Best Cadet Judoka:
- Female: Patricia TOMANKOVA
- Male: Juraj ODKLADAL
Best Junior Judoka:
- Female: Ema FIZELOVA
- Male: Jozef TOMANEK
Best Senior Judoka:
- Márius FIZEL
Best Coach:
- Jozef TOMANEK
Best Referee:
- Judita PISAROVA
The highlight of the evening was Patrícia Tomankova, who was presented with the Absolute Winner Award. Undefeated for over a year, Patricia’s dominance in the sport is a testament to her dedication and skill. The National Judo Federation of Slovakia voiced their appreciation to the European Judo Union for its unwavering support. The presence of President Dr. Tóth added immense prestige to the event and reinforced the strong partnership between the federation and the EJU.
In closing, it was important to recognise the remarkable progress Slovakia has made in judo in recent years. However, The 3rd Judo Awards was not just a celebration of achievements but also a moment of reflection on 70 years of tradition, growth, and excellence in judo in Slovakia.
Images: National Judo Federation of Slovakia
Author: Szandra Szogedi