Azerbaijan, renowned for producing Olympic, world, and European champions, has reached a historic milestone past weekend with its first-ever National Kata Championship and inaugural kata judges’ seminar. The transformation began with the IJF Academy programme, which includes Nage-no-kata alongside the 100 Kodokan techniques. When several students expressed genuine interest in…
29 December 2025Patricia Sampaio closes the year as world number one in the -78kg category, becoming the first Portuguese judoka in history to finish a season at the top of the senior world ranking. It is a position she once held as a junior and now reclaims at the highest level of…
28 December 2025Eteri Liparteliani is the world’s number one in her category -57kg but she did not arrive at the summit of world judo overnight. In 2025, the Georgian judoka became world champion in Budapest, rose to world number one and was recognised at home as Georgia’s best female athlete across all…
26 December 2025In the unforgiving world of heavyweight judo, where power reigns and careers are often measured in fleeting moments of glory, Inal Tasoev has carved out something altogether different, a legacy built not on expedience but on the deliberate pursuit of difficulty itself. As 2025 draws to a close, Tasoev stands…
25 December 2025On 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 2025