The past long weekend served as a learning curve for many. At the Győr Get Together tournament, the spotlight wasn’t only on the young judoka with intellectual and other disabilities, it was also on the people who guided them through their experience, making sure every fight was fair and safe: the referees. Vári Tibor and Szigetvári Mercédesz shared their experiences.
A Veteran Finds Something New
For Tibor, the competition stirred memories. “Next autumn it will be 30 years since I first stepped onto the mat as a referee at a small Budapest event. That was in the old Spartacus Judo Hall, and I was just 17. A lot has happened since then.”
Despite his decades of experience, this was his first adapted judo tournament. He admitted he came to Győr with a mix of curiosity and excitement. “I knew I could be part of something special, and I wanted to do my very best. What amazed me most was the atmosphere: calm, family-like, supportive. Everyone the EJU staff, the organisers, the coaches worked together to make the children feel safe and happy. It was uplifting to be part of it.”
Adapting to the special rules wasn’t easy, but Tibor found them well thought out. “They were created by people who know both judo and the needs of these athletes. With nearly 30 years behind me, and some experience refereeing for athletes with disabilities, I could adjust quickly but of course I still prepared carefully.”
One memory in particular will stay with him. “There was a little girl from Romania, she is like a little fairy. Such a pure, special soul… and her coaches, so patient and calm, they deserve all the respect in the world.”
A Fresh Perspective
On the mat also, stood former international competitor, Mercédesz, representing a younger generation of referees. She only started her refereeing journey in 2022 but she has already had several adapted competitions at home and abroad.
“This wasn’t my first,” she says, “but my first impression is always the same it’s such a supportive environment. Everyone helps each other without hesitation.”
She especially values the way the rules prioritise the athletes’ safety. “They protect the health of the competitors, so they can fight in a much safer way. At my very first adapted events, I was scared worried I would make a mistake or forget something, but you adapt quickly, and once you do, you see how well the system works.”
The event allowed the adapted judo family to grow, welcoming everyone into something inclusive, something bigger than the sport itself. As Tibor summed up simply: “It was an honour to be here. If I get the chance again, I will be back without hesitation.”
The next edition of the Get Together tour will be in Gdansk, Poland between 13-14 September.
Author: Szandra Szogedi