The countdown to the EUROPEAN JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS SENIORS in ZAGREB (CRO) is entering the hot phase. The field of 437 judoka from 47 nations exceeds all expectations – featuring 5 Olympic champions, 7 world number ones, 17 world champions, 25 European champions and 51 athletes from the top 10 of the world rankings. More than 20 TV stations will be reporting live. 10 cameras will be in action. The first nations are supposed to arrive at the beginning of the week, the draw will take place on Wednesday and the first of a total of four competition days will be held on Thursday.
The most important facts and figures about the European Judo Championships Seniors premiere in Croatia:
- 437 judoka from 47 nations will be competing in the 72nd edition of the European Judo Championships Seniors in Zagreb. In comparison: 386 athletes from 46 countries took part in the 2023 European Championships in Montpellier.
- With Germany, France, Italy, host Croatia, the Netherlands, Serbia, Spain and Ukraine, no fewer than eight nations made up the maximum contingent of 18 athletes (9 women and 9 men).
- The Olympic qualification for Paris runs until mid-June. The European Championship title earns 700 points, reaching the final 490 points and third place 350 points.
- A total of 433 paid staff and 30 volunteers are involved in the organisation.
- The competition hall will have 828 square metres of mats (3 tatami). Including the warm-up and training area, 2,500 square metres will be available to the participants.
- More than 300 kilometres of cable will be laid in the hall for the European Championships.
- 17,000 meals will be prepared over the four days of the competition.
- Lots of national sports celebrities are supposed to watch the Judo top-action: Olympic and world handball champion Goran SPREM and water polo ace Simenc DUBRAVKO (1988 Olympic champion, 1996 Olympic silver medallist) are among those who have confirmed their attendance.
Author: EJU Media