Dushanbe Confirmed as Host City for the 2026 World Judo Masters

The International Judo Federation has announced that the 2026 edition of the World Judo Masters will take place in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, from 18–20 December 2026. As one of the most prestigious events on the international calendar, the World Judo Masters stands at the very top of elite competition. As part…

European Judo Championships Seniors Tbilisi 2026 Individuals - Tbilisi, Georgia

Europe’s Rising Stars Step Into the Spotlight

Every championship stage offers judoka from across the continent a chance to shine, from established stars to emerging contenders eager to announce themselves.  At the 2026 European Judo Championships in Georgia, a new generation sent that message loud and clear. Israel’s Izhak Ashpiz set the tone on the opening day…

Kaunas EJU Junior Training Camp 2026 - Kaunas, Lithuania

Sandra Jablonskytė: “I’m filled with gratitude.”

Professional athletes rarely get the chance to rest, and this was proven once again in Kaunas during the Junior Training Camp held from 27-29 April. Many judoka filled the President Valdas Adamkus Sports Arena, all eager to train and improve, despite their exhaustion after the Kaunas Junior European Cup. Upon…

adidas Double D

From Borrowed Judogi to Global Partnership

In the days following the Senior European Judo Championships 2026 in Tbilisi, the pace slowed just enough to capture a different side of the sport. Away from the roar of the arena and the pressure of competition, the adidas Double D photoshoot brought together some of Europe’s leading judoka for…

Kaunas Junior European Cup 2026 - Kaunas, Lithuania

The Recipe for Success

The second and final day of the Kaunas Junior European Cup 2026 has concluded, bringing notable success for the Ukrainian team. Strong performances across multiple weight categories underlined their presence on the tatami and confirmed their growing strength on the international stage. Two Ukrainian gold medallists reflected on their achievements…

Czech Judo Marks 90th Anniversary in Teplice

On 25 April, the Czech Judo Federation marked a historic milestone as it celebrated its 90th anniversary at the Krušnohorské Theatre in Teplice, an occasion that brought together 120 prominent athletes, coaches, and leading figures from across the national and international judo community. Representing the European Judo Union, Secretary General…

Berlin "Millennium Team" Cadet European Cup 2026 - Berlin, Germany

Berlin Breakthroughs: Rising Cadets Claim European Cup Glory on Opening Day

Author: Iljana Marzok A packed first day [25 April] at the Sportforum Berlin venue saw eight new Berlin champions crowned, representing Azerbaijan, France, Israel, the Republic of Moldova, Türkiye and Uzbekistan. The host nation, Germany, had to settle for one fifth place and two seventh places. In the women’s lighter…

European Judo Championships Seniors Tbilisi 2026 Individuals - Tbilisi, Georgia

Arbuzov Is Thinking Beyond This Weight Class

Russia’s Timur Arbuzov just turned 22 before the European Judo Championships Seniors Tbilisi 2026 and already is a world champion and now two-time European champion in the -81kg. The judoka from the Krasnodar region in the south of Russia once more proved his class in Tbilisi, overcoming home crowd favourite Tato…

Kaunas Junior European Cup 2026 - Kaunas, Lithuania

Polikevičius: "I took a risk...,and it paid off."

The opening day of the Kaunas Junior European Cup 2026 passed in a flash, with 24 nations delivering high-level judo and fiercely contested bouts on the tatami. The final block proved particularly gripping; victories were celebrated with passion, while defeats were felt just as deeply. Following the final block, we…

European Judo Championships Seniors Tbilisi 2026 Individuals - Tbilisi, Georgia

Gennaro Pirelli: Effort and Accomplishment

Last week, at the 2026 European Championships Tbilisi, Italy’s Gennaro Pirelli had what can only be described as an incredible day. The 25-year-old had bronzes in 2024 and 2025, following a gold medal at the 2021 U23 Europeans but a gold at a senior milestone event had eluded him until…

Berlin "Millennium Team" Cadet European Cup 2026 - Berlin, Germany

Europe's Top Cadet Talent Gathers in Berlin

This weekend on 25–26 April 2026, Berlin once again becomes a stage for international cadet judo. According to the current entry list, 774 judoka from 36 nations are set to compete at the Berlin “Millennium Team” European Cadet Cup 2026 at the Sportforum Berlin. The largest delegation comes from host…

European Judo Championships Seniors Tbilisi 2026 Individuals - Tbilisi, Georgia

Judo Values on Full Display

There were thousands of moments captured during the Senior European Judo Championships Tbilisi 2026. Moments of celebration, moments of defeat, and an entire spectrum of emotion played out on the tatami. Yet, beyond the medals and the results, it was something deeper that truly resonated, the unmistakable presence of judo’s…

European Judo Championships Seniors Tbilisi 2026 Individuals - Tbilisi, Georgia

Joanne van Lieshout’s Biggest Victory

When she was 13 years old, she was diagnosed with diabetes. Ten years later, she is a world and European champion: Joanne van Lieshout of the Netherlands celebrated her biggest victory outside the tatami. Van Lieshout followed her parents and older brother into judo when she was five years old…

European Judo Championships Seniors Tbilisi 2026 Individuals - Tbilisi, Georgia

Refinement Through Reflection: A Conversation with Dr Tóth László

Following the conclusion of the Senior European Judo Championships Tbilisi 2026, EJU President Dr Tóth László sat down to reflect on a week that transformed Tbilisi into the heart of European judo. “First and foremost, I must express my gratitude to our Georgian hosts. While we came here for the…

European Judo Championships Seniors Tbilisi 2026 Individuals - Tbilisi, Georgia

The Rise of Georgian Women’s Judo

Georgia has a rich judo history with many Olympic, world and European champions but now it is going to be even richer. The women are coming. World and European champion Eteri Liparteliani is the trailblazer and there are more promising female judoka coming up. While the men became leaders in…

European Judo Championships Seniors Tbilisi 2026 Individuals - Tbilisi, Georgia

Guram Tushishvili: “I did everything I could to make you all happy today.”

Guram Tushishvili capped off a fantastic event for Georgia at the European Judo Championships Seniors 2026 Tbilisi striking the fourth gold for the host country. In the battle of the heavyweight giants, the Georgian prevailed over two-time Olympic champion Lukas Krpalek of Czechia. It was one of Tushishvili’s sweetest victories.…

European Judo Championships Seniors Tbilisi 2026 Individuals - Tbilisi, Georgia

Raz Hershko: "I give my heart on the tatami.”

Raz Hershko made Israel proud, claiming her second European title and the only gold for her country at the European Judo Championships Seniors 2026 Tbilisi, and she needed less than a minute to overcome Lea Fontaine of France in the final. “Wow, I’m speechless,” the 2023 World silver medalilst said.…

European Judo Championships Seniors Tbilisi 2026 Individuals - Tbilisi, Georgia

Gennaro Pirelli: “You Have to Fight Until Your Last Breath.”

Gennaro Pirelli of Italy did not even know if he was able to compete at the European Judo Championships Seniors 2026 Tbilisi and now he leaves with his first senior continent gold medal. “I am very, very happy,” Pirelli said. “I still have to realise it because I come from…