World Down Syndrome Day
World Down Syndrome Day, observed on 21 March, carries a powerful symbolism: the triplication of the 21st chromosome. Officially recognised by the United Nations in 2012, it stands as a reminder to raise awareness, champion inclusion and recognise the achievements of people with Down syndrome. For the European Judo Union,…
21 March 2026Tbilisi Grand Slam 2026 - Tbilisi, Georgia
The IJF World Tour has arrived in Tbilisi, Georgia, offering European athletes an early glimpse of what awaits in just one month, when the Senior European Championships 2026 take centre stage in the Olympic Sports Palace. For now, however, the focus remains firmly on the present and Europe had every…
20 March 2026Riga Senior European Cup 2026 - Riga , Latvia
Riga is ready for action once again this weekend, 21–22 March, as it welcomes 254 judoka from 27 nations, both from Europe and overseas for their annual Senior European Cup. The city, which announced less than 24 hours ago that it will host the inaugural Ne-waza European Championships later this…
20 March 2026The European Judo Union is pleased to announce that the Ne-waza European Judo Championships 2026 will take place in August in Riga, Latvia. Exact date to be announced shortly. This adjustment follows the unforeseen decision of the French Judo Federation to return the organisation rights for the Veteran European Championships…
19 March 2026Full schedule and athletes to watch
386 competitors from 51 countries will take to the tatami this weekend at the Tbilisi Grand Slam 2026, running from 20-22 March. The latest stop on the 2026 IJF World Judo Tour arrives just weeks before the 2026 European Championships, also set to take place in the Georgian capital from…
19 March 2026Following the recent announcement concerning the postponement of the Veteran European Championships, subsequent to the return of the organisational rights by the French Judo Federation, the European Judo Union Executive Committee acted promptly. The EJU is therefore pleased to confirm that a new host location and corresponding dates have now…
18 March 2026Nymburk EJU OTC 2026 - Nymburk, Czech Republic
Author: Czech Judo Federation A record 1,088 participants (527 men, 353 women and 208 accompanying persons) gathered at the Nymburk Sports Centre from 9–16 March 2026 for a joint training camp. Organised by the Czech Judo Federation, the Olympic Training Camp (OTC) in Nymburk marked an unprecedented milestone, becoming the…
18 March 2026Lommel Kids Camp - Lommel, Belgium
Not every training camp needs to be about the elite. In Lommel, between 13–15 March, the balance was just right as the city became a space where ambition, accessibility and development converged, as the Ilse Heylen Academy, this year in collaboration with the European Judo Union, hosted its annual youth…
17 March 2026Lommel Kids Camp - Lommel, Belgium
Between 13–15 March 2026, the usually calm surroundings of Sportpark De Soeverein in Lommel transformed into a vibrant hub of energy, laughter and relentless movement. Tatami after tatami filled with young judoka eager to learn, challenge themselves and share their passion for the sport. The three-day training camp, organised by…
16 March 2026Warsaw European Open 2026 - Warsaw, Poland
Author: Ewa Kempka The curtain has fallen on the Warsaw European Open 2026. With what expectations did the Polish national team approach the event and how do they assess the final result? To reflect on these questions and share his perspective, the Sports Director of the Polish Judo Association, Adam…
16 March 2026Warsaw European Open 2026 - Warsaw, Poland
Author: Ewa Kempka and Kacper Gaweł The Warsaw European Open 2026 unfolded over an action-packed weekend, delivering memorable performances on the tatami. Still riding the momentum of a strong final day, we caught up with three of Sunday’s gold medallists: Szymon Szulik of Poland, Novo Raicevic of Montenegro, and Ophélie…
16 March 2026Warsaw European Open 2026 - Warsaw, Poland
The Warsaw European Open 2026 delivered two days of high-level competition, thrilling moments and passionate home support inside the CAiLS Hall in Grodzisk Mazowiecki. The Polish team impressed throughout the day and the final block was no exception. Here is how the action unfolded during a memorable Sunday afternoon inside…
15 March 2026Warsaw European Open 2026 - Warsaw, Poland
Author: Ewa Kempka Iwona Marcinkiewicz understands sport from a perspective few can claim. As an Olympic bronze medallist in archery from the 1996 Atlanta Games team competition, she experienced the pinnacle of elite performance and was honoured with the Silver Cross of Merit in the same year. Dedication, discipline and…
15 March 2026Warsaw European Open 2026 - Warsaw, Poland
Winning at home always carries a special meaning. At the 2026 Warsaw European Open, that moment belonged to Poland’s Aleksandra Kowalewska, who captured the -70kg gold medal and stepped onto the top of a Continental Open podium for the very first time. The 21-year-old delivered an impressive performance in front…
15 March 2026Warsaw European Open 2026 - Warsaw, Poland
The opening day of the Warsaw European Open delivered several memorable moments, not least the impressive performance of the Polish team. In nearly every final, the home crowd had a local athlete to support, creating an electric atmosphere inside the arena. France ultimately finished on top of the overall medal…
14 March 2026The British judoka on mindset, breakthrough gold and the road to the 2026 Europeans
Ethan Nairne chose the perfect day not to look at his competition draw. The British judoka, competing in the -73kg category, arrived at the 2026 Upper Austria Grand Prix facing what looked like a daunting path, with several rounds bringing Olympic medallists. Yet Nairne, blissfully unaware of the names awaiting…
13 March 2026EJU Executive Committee Meeting Malta
Between 11–12 March 2026, the Executive Committee of the European Judo Union convened in Malta for its first meeting of the year. The gathering brought together senior representatives to review developments across multiple sectors of the organisation. Among the key topics discussed was the continued growth in participation at EJU…
13 March 2026Warsaw European Open 2026 - Warsaw, Poland
Author: Ewa Kempka This weekend, 14–15 March, the CAiLS Hall in Grodzisk Mazowiecki will become the centre of European judo as it hosts the Warsaw European Open, opening this year’s European Judo Union tournament cycle in Poland. A total of 359 athletes from 31 nations have entered the competition, promising…
12 March 2026
Tbilisi Grand Slam 2026 
Riga Senior European Cup 2026