Bielsko-Biala "Millennium Team" Cadet European Cup 2026 - Bielsko-Biala, Poland

Home Glory and International Firepower Light Up Bielsko-Biała

The second and final day of the ‘Millennium Team’ Cadet European Cup Bielsko-Biała 2026 was a real showdown. From the opening contests of the morning session to the final gold medal celebrations, the atmosphere inside the hall never dropped. Young judoka from across Europe and beyond produced fearless performances, skilful…

17 May 2026

European Judo Championships Kata Sarajevo 2026 - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Azerbaijan’s Expanding Judo Identity Takes Shape

When the judo world thinks of Azerbaijan, images of Olympic champions, world medallists and explosive contest performances immediately come to mind. The nation has built a reputation as one of judo’s true powerhouses, producing elite athletes with remarkable consistency across generations. Yet behind the medals and spotlight of shiai lies…

17 May 2026

European Judo Championships Kata Sarajevo 2026 - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Finnish Engineer Helping Shape Europe’s Kata Future

In a country where competitive judo traditionally takes centre stage, kata has often lived quietly in the background. Finland may not immediately be recognised as one of Europe’s kata powerhouses, yet one man has spent decades ensuring the discipline continues to grow, evolve and earn the respect it deserves. Today,…

17 May 2026

La Nucia/Benidorm European Open 2026 - Benidorm, Spain

Gahié: “Let It Be a Surprise.”

The opening day of the La Nucia/Benidorm European Open delivered exactly what these tournaments are famous for: surprise storylines, emotional returns, fearless young talent and moments of pure drama that reminded everyone why judo can turn in a single heartbeat. With medals decided in the women’s -63 kg, -70 kg,…

16 May 2026

Bielsko-Biala "Millennium Team" Cadet European Cup 2026 - Bielsko-Biala, Poland

Azerbaijan Takes Early Lead at Cadet European Cup

The opening day of the Cadet ‘Millennium Team’ European Cup in Bielsko-Biała delivered high-level judo, emotional victories and intense battles on the tatami as young talents from across the world fought for medals and valuable international experience. After the opening day of competition, Azerbaijan sits firmly at the top of…

16 May 2026

European Judo Championships Kata Sarajevo 2026 - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

ENBU Awakens: Slovenia Leads the Revival in Sarajevo

The ENBU Judo competition brought a different kind of energy to the mat today during the European Judo Championships Kata Sarajevo 2026, blending precision, creativity and the spirit of martial arts performance into one captivating category. For those less familiar with the discipline, ENBU Judo can only officially take place…

16 May 2026

European Judo Championships Kata Sarajevo 2026 - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Kata Euros 2026: The Voices Behind Day One Success

The opening day of the European Judo Championships Kata Sarajevo 2026 delivered emotion, redemption and remarkable performances as six European titles were decided across Nage-no-Kata, Katame-no-Kata, Ju-no-Kata, Kime-no-Kata, Kodokan Goshin Jutsu and ENBU. With a record 452 participants from 28 nations, the largest edition to date, brought together established champions,…

16 May 2026

European Judo Championships Kata Sarajevo 2026 - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dimitri Nemegaire: “The 'Kata Family' is where the heart of judo truly beats” 

In a sport built on centuries of tradition, Belgian kata official and IT manager Dimitri Nemegaire spends his days focused on the future. Nemegaire entered the discipline at just fifteen years old after earning his Dan grades early, quickly immersing himself in a community that would go on to shape…

16 May 2026

European Judo Championships Kata Sarajevo 2026 - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Kata Euros 2026: Draw and Schedule

The official draw for the European Judo Championships Kata Sarajevo 2026 has now been completed. The full schedule and line-up order can be found below. Watch the event live online via JudoTV. Day 1 – Saturday, 16 May Day 2 – Sunday, 17 May

15 May 2026

European Judo Championships Kata Sarajevo 2026 - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Kristiina Pekkola: "For me, Kata is the alphabet."

In Sarajevo, between 16-17 May, the Kata European Judo Championships 2026 is signalling a shift in momentum that has been years in the making. Athletes from 28 nations have arrived in the Bosnian capital, bringing the highest participation figures in the history of the event. Accreditation desks were busy from…

15 May 2026

La Nucia/Benidorm European Open 2026 - Benidorm, Spain

Senior and Junior Talent Collide on the Costa Blanca

The Costa Blanca region returns to the judo calendar this weekend as La Nucía/Benidorm host the next stop of the European Open Tour on 16–17 May, welcoming a field of 473 athletes from 40 nations across four continents. Spain leads the entry list with 84 athletes, underlining both the strength…

15 May 2026

European Judo Championships Kata Sarajevo 2026 - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo 2026: The Stars to Watch at the European Judo Kata Championships

The European Judo Kata Championships are no longer a niche corner of the sport.  In Sarajevo, the 2026 edition is set to become the biggest in championship history, with 452 competitors from 28 nations, up from 330 competitors and 21 countries just two years ago.  The growth reflects a wider…

14 May 2026

Bielsko-Biala "Millennium Team" Cadet European Cup 2026 - Bielsko-Biala, Poland

Tomasz Jopek: “Belief Can Move Mountains”

Between 16-17 May, the spotlight of European cadet judo turns once again to Bielsko-Biała, where ambition, pressure and possibility will collide on the tatami. The Cadet “Millennium Team” European Cup Tour has grown into far more than another stop on the calendar; for many young athletes, it is the place…

13 May 2026

Erasmus +

Young Voices Shaping Intergenerational Judo

During European Youth Week 2026, the JOY project [Judo Connecting Older and Younger Generations] launched the Young Judo Voices Campaign, a coordinated social media campaign highlighting the role of young people in intergenerational learning. The campaign brought together 40 young judoka from Türkiye, Spain, Romania, Slovenia, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, creating…

13 May 2026

European Judo Championships Kata Sarajevo 2026 - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Cesare Amorosi: “Training Kata Is Training the Mind”

When speaking about kata in Europe, it is impossible not to mention Italy. Year after year, generation after generation, the Italian team continues to raise the standard across almost every kata discipline, combining tradition, innovation and remarkable consistency on the European stage. Behind that success is a system built on…

12 May 2026

Erasmus +

SAFE COMBAT Project Reaches Key Milestones Ahead of Gijón Meeting

The Erasmus+ SAFE COMBAT project, in which the European Judo Union plays a leading role as coordinator, continues to make significant progress in promoting safer, more ethical and inclusive environments across Combat Sports and Martial Arts (CS&MA). Ahead of the upcoming implementation partners meeting, set to take place in Gijón…

11 May 2026

Astana Grand Slam 2026 - Astana, Kazakhstan

Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam 2026: Day Three European Highlights

The final day of the Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam 2026 (8-10 May) saw four of the five gold medals go to judoka from the European continent, with several heavyweight performances delighting the judo-loving Kazakh crowd. In the men’s -90kg division, Serbia’s Boris Rutovic captured gold ahead of Brazil’s Guilherme Schimidt. The…

10 May 2026

Gori Senior European Cup 2026 - Gori, Georgia

The World Champion Rediscovered the “Taste” of Gold at Home

The Gori edition of the Senior European Cup 2026 concluded today with medallists decided in the remaining seven weight categories: women’s -48 kg, -52 kg and -57 kg, alongside men’s -81 kg, -90 kg, -100 kg and +100 kg divisions. Gold medals were claimed by representatives of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Switzerland…

10 May 2026