On behalf of the President, Dr Laszlo Toth and the entire European Judo Union, we extend our warmest season’s greetings to the global judo family. May this festive period bring you health, peace and renewed strength as we look forward to another year united by the values of judo.
24 December 2025Kosovo’s top athlete, Distria Krasniqi, ends the year once again at the summit of international judo as the world number one. With the quiet determination of an athlete who continues to set new standards for herself, the European champion and senior world finalist in 2025, Krasniqi, nicknamed Disi, reflects on…
24 December 2025Finishing a season at the top of the world rankings is never an accident. For Ayub Bliev, 2025 was the product of discipline, patience and steadfast commitment to progress a year that confirmed his place as the world number one in the fiercely competitive -60kg category. Gold at the Grand…
23 December 2025The European Judo Championships 2027 will take place from 15 to 18 April 2027 in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. The championships, which play a key role in qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, have been officially awarded to the Netherlands by the European Judo Union. Marc Haasjes, Interim…
22 December 2025For Lara Cvjetko, becoming world number one in the -70kg category was never meant to be a finish line. It was, instead, confirmation that the work she has been putting in, quietly, relentlessly, often without shortcuts, is beginning to show its full shape. “This year I have managed to get…
22 December 2025The year of 2025 has felt like a genuine growth for judo in Montenegro and as the year draws to a close, it is fitting that it ended with knowledge, discipline and tradition. On the weekend of 20–21 December, Podgorica became the setting for a small but historic milestone. For…
21 December 2025EJU Ordinary Congress 2025 - Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Spain
During the 77th EJU Congress held in Gran Canaria, a vote was conducted on the establishment of the Human Rights Commission. The attending national delegates voted in favour of adopting the declaration. The European Judo Union recognises the fundamental role of sport in upholding and promoting human rights, human dignity…
18 December 2025European Judo Championships Cadets Gran Canaria 2026 - Gran Canaria, Spain
Following the successful 77th EJU Ordinary Congress, part of the EJU delegates, including Vice President of Sport, Catarina Rodrigues; Assistant to Presidential Office, Toth Fanni and Head of Event Management and Broadcast, Janity Tibor, remained on the island to begin immediate preparations with a site visit ahead of the 2026…
17 December 2025Safe Fall
The European Judo Union once again had the honour of participating in Japan at the 3rd International Conference on Safe Falling for Older People through Judo, an event which this year expanded to three full days and featured 45 presentations, delivered both in lecture halls and on the tatami. The…
17 December 2025EJU Ordinary Congress 2025 - Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Spain
During the 77th Ordinary Congress of the European Judo Union, there were many moments of reflection but few carried as much weight as the address delivered by EJU President, Dr Tóth László. Taking time to look back on recent years, he offered a clear and confident assessment of an organisation…
15 December 2025EJU Ordinary Congress 2025 - Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Spain
During the 77th Ordinary Congress, held in Las Palmas Gran Canaria, Alessandro Comi was elected as a new member of the EJU Executive Committee, assuming the role of Sport Director. Following his election, he took a moment to reflect on his journey, ambitions and vision for the future as he…
15 December 2025EJU Ordinary Congress 2025 - Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Spain
The National Judo Federation of North Macedonia has reached a defining moment in its history. Following an extraordinary year of international competitions, the federation has been awarded the best event organiser within the European Judo Union for 2025, a recognition that reflects consistency, ambition and resilience at the highest level…
15 December 2025EJU Ordinary Congress 2025 - Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Spain
On 14 December 2025, alongside the EJU Congress, the annual Gala Dinner brought the European judo family together to celebrate the defining moments of the year. One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the Best Event of 2025 award, honouring the outstanding organisation of the Senior…
15 December 2025EJU Ordinary Congress 2025 - Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Spain
At the 77th Congress of the European Judo Union in Las Palmas, EJU Vice President of Sport, Catarina Rodrigues, also took time to reflect on a year that, in her words, proved just how far European judo can go when trust and opportunity are placed in the right hands. Speaking…
14 December 2025EJU Ordinary Congress 2025 - Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Spain
EJU Vice President and Head of Marketing Ivan Todorov presented his outlook and report for 2025 in the field of marketing. Todorov, who is also the President of the Serbian Judo Federation, has witnessed many sporting successes in judo, including this year. However, in a specialised area such as marketing,…
14 December 2025EJU Ordinary Congress 2025 - Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Spain
Today Michal Vachun was awarded the 9th DAN, a distinction that reflects not only technical mastery, but a lifetime defined by excellence, leadership and service to judo. Vachun is the highest-ranked judoka in the history of the Czech Republic. His awarding of the 9th Dan at the European Judo Union…
14 December 2025EJU Ordinary Congress 2025 - Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Spain
At the 77th Congress of the European Judo Union, held in Las Palmas, the EJU Education Sector reflected on a landmark year of progress, inclusion and innovation. Vice President of Education, Kristiina Pekkola, shares insights into the sector’s key achievements in 2025 and outlines the priorities shaping the future of…
14 December 2025EJU Ordinary Congress 2025 - Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Spain
Aleksandr Jatskevitch, the European Judo Union’s Head Referee Director, reflects on 2025 as a year that demanded flexibility, unity, and an unwavering commitment to quality across all levels of refereeing. As he looks back on the EJU Ordinary Congress, the sense of progress is clear. Twelve new IJF International licence…
14 December 2025