Author: Demir S. Durak
Antalya is preparing to host Europe’s cadet judo elite once again this year, for the 31st occasion. The ‘Millennium Team’ Cadet European Cup, which will be held on 7–8 March 2026 at the Antalya Sports Hall, will bring together around 585 athletes from 24 countries competing for medals. A total of 342 male and 243 female judoka will step onto the tatami during the event. The tournament is regarded as one of the most important cadet competitions on the European judo calendar.
“This event in Antalya is extremely important for our young athletes to test themselves at the international level. While the tournament provides our technical staff with the opportunity to analyse the current performance levels of our athletes, it also allows us to closely evaluate potential talents who may represent our country in the senior category in the future,” said Sezer Huysuz, President of the Turkish Judo Federation.
As the host nation, Türkiye aims to take advantage of competing in front of home spectators by participating with a large delegation. The national athletes will strive to achieve strong results as they compete for medals against high-level international opponents at this important stage of the season.
“The cadet age category represents a critical stage in the transition of athletes to high-performance sport. Such international events accelerate both the technical and mental development of our athletes. The tournament in Antalya will also serve as an important reference point for our seasonal planning and performance evaluation,” stated Mustafa Kalaycı, Head Coach of the Cadet National Teams.
The official opening ceremony of the tournament will take place on Saturday, 7 March. With its high level of competition and strong international participation, the event will once again position Antalya as a key hub on the European cadet judo calendar. Watch the event live online via JudoTV.com.
Cover Image: Turkish Judo Federation
Author: EJU Media