Houlgate Get Together Tournament 2025 - Houlgate, France

From Olympic Podium to Inclusive Judo Advocate

As Larbi Benboudaoud walks onto a tatami, there is a certain gravitational pull that surrounds him. Perhaps it stems from his Olympic silver medal, won in Sydney in 2000. Perhaps it comes from decades spent shaping French judo, first as an athlete, then as a coach and today as one…

6 December 2025

Houlgate Get Together Tournament 2025 - Houlgate, France

A Warm Welcome to Normandy

On the calm December morning when athletes, coaches and families began arriving in Houlgate for divisioning at the EJU Get Together Adapted Judo event, Stéphane Roost stood with pride welcoming all. As the General Manager of the Centre Sportif de Normandie, he carries both responsibility and heartfelt motivation to ensure…

5 December 2025

Invisible No More: Houlgate Workshop Marks a New Era of Inclusion in Judo

During the Adapted Judo Workshop in Houlgate on 4 December, a rich exchange of ideas unfolded, spanning topics from autism to deaf judo, with contributions from a diverse and deeply committed group of professionals. High-school PE teachers, high-performance coaches, experts in inclusion and international officials all gathered under one roof…

5 December 2025

Tokyo Grand Slam 2025 - Tokyo, Japan

Hope Despite Ultimate Japanese Grand Slam Domination

The final IJF World Tour event of the year will take place this weekend in Tokyo. The traditional Grand Slam, first held in 2008 and the inaugural event of the World Judo Tour, returns once again to the Japanese capital. Ahead of the 2021 Olympic Games the tournament was temporarily…

4 December 2025

Houlgate Adapted Judo Camp & Workshop - Houlgate, France

“The sky is the limit”

The adapted judo training camp in Houlgate began with laughter, games and movement. Playful group activities set the tone as athletes worked on balance, co-ordination and reaction speed, skills essential not only for judo but also for teamwork and social confidence. From there, the session shifted towards fundamentals: paired ne-waza…

4 December 2025

Adapted Judo

How Portuguese Judo Helps Shape a More Compassionate World

Across the world, inclusion has become one of the defining words of our time. It appears in policy documents, school curricula and corporate visions, yet its true power reveals itself not in statements but in lived experience. Few communities understand this better than the global judo family, where the principles…

3 December 2025

Millennium Team

A Vision of Excellence: Interview with Stojan Vujko, CEO of Millennium Team

On the late afternoon before the final of the European Club Championships – Champions League 2025, held in Belgrade, we sat down with Mr Stojan Vujko, Vice President of the Serbian Judo Federation, President of the Red Star Judo Club and Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Team, one of the…

1 December 2025

Abu Dhabi Grand Slam 2025 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Europe Steals the Spotlight in Abu Dhabi

Russia concluded the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam 2025 at the top of the medal table, finishing with two gold and four silver medals collected over the course of the event. Japan rose to second place with two golds and two bronzes, while Germany secured third position, also with two golds.…

30 November 2025

Abu Dhabi Grand Slam 2025 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Ozbas and Stump Triumph on Day Two

The second day of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam delivered high-level action across four middleweight categories: the women’s –63kg and –70kg divisions and the men’s –73kg and –81kg classes. Europe claimed half of the gold medals available. Russia maintained its lead on the medal table with one gold and two…

29 November 2025

EJU Medical Seminar 2025 - Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik Gathers Medical Experts

Author: Mario Krvavac The picturesque city of Dubrovnik once again welcomes international scientists as the host of the European Judo Union (EJU) Medical Seminar. This prestigious event, held from 28 to 29 November at the luxurious Ariston Hotel, brings together medical experts, coaches and athletes from across Europe. The aim…

29 November 2025

Abu Dhabi Grand Slam 2025 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Power Shift in the Desert: Europe Controls Day One

Europe began the three-day Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in emphatic style, claiming four of the five gold medals on offer on the opening day. Among the highlights was the triumphant return of Russian judoka Ayub Bliev, competing under his national colours for the first time as Russia regained representation on…

28 November 2025

A Vital Bridge for Peace and Reconciliation

Author: International Judo Federation The International Judo Federation (IJF) has navigated a period of significant geopolitical pressure with measured responsibility, ensuring the continued unity of the judo family and the safety and fairness of competition for all athletes of all nations. Following recent developments, including the reinstatement of full national…

28 November 2025

EJU Medical Seminar 2025 - Dubrovnik, Croatia

EJU Medical Seminar Begins with Reception at the Prefecture

Author: Mario Krvavac The Prefect of Dubrovnik–Neretva County, Mr Blaž Pezo, today received a delegation from the International Judo Federation (IJF), the European Judo Union (EJU), and the Croatian Judo Federation (CJF), led by the President of the CJF, Dr Sanda Čorak. “Welcome to another great event. It is a…

28 November 2025

Fighting With Heart: Marine Gilly’s Life on and off the Tatami

For Marine Gilly, 2025 has been a season of steady, hard-earned stepping stones, measured progress built on belief. Four medals on the European Open Tour confirmed her consistency, making her the most successful athlete on the circuit this year. More importantly, those results showed she is drawing ever closer to…

28 November 2025

Abu Dhabi Grand Slam 2025 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Appealing Field of Participants at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam

The Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi remains one of the most popular events on the international judo calendar. Athletes appreciate the warm climate at the end of the year and the calm, welcoming environment they return to annually. Abu Dhabi has been a host city for the IJF World Tour…

27 November 2025

Maribor Junior European Cup 2025 - Maribor, Slovenia

All Eyes Turn to Maribor for the Junior European Season’s Finale

This weekend, Maribor hosts the final event of the junior season, the last European Cup in a series of 15 tournaments. Maribor is a familiar city for this generation of judoka. In 2023, it staged the European Youth Olympic Festival, and now, more than 400 athletes are eager to prove…

26 November 2025

Houlgate Get Together Tournament 2025 - Houlgate, France

Press Conference Sets the Tone for an Inclusive Judo Celebration in Houlgate

Excitement and emotion filled the room as officials, coaches and media gathered for the press conference unveiling the upcoming Get Together Judo Tournament, set for December 5–6 at the Centre Sportif de Normandie. The event, which welcomes 182 athletes from 11 countries, marks the first French stage of the European…

24 November 2025

Judo Conference -Applicable Research in Judo 2025 - Zagreb, Croatia

Online Publications of the 8th Scientific Conference

The 8th Scientific and Professional Conference “Applicable Research in Judo” marked a significant milestone for the judo community, bringing together a record number of participants and delivering the event at an exceptional professional standard. United by a shared commitment to advancing judo science and its practical application across all areas…

23 November 2025