Judo has long carried a message that goes beyond competition. “Judo is more than sport; it is education.” These words are often repeated within the judo family and in Zagreb on 5 March 2026, that philosophy took a tangible step forward as the European Judo Union (EJU) and the European School Sport Federation (ESSF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding, strengthening the role of judo within the European school sport system.
The meeting brought together key representatives from both organisations, including Dr Tóth László, President of the EJU and Dr Ivan Dujić, President of the ESSF. They were joined by Dr Sanda Čorak, President of the Croatian Judo Federation, Dr Slaviša Bradić, EJU Presidential Adviser, Gorica Bilak Moconja (ESSF) and Tomislav Čuljak, Honorary President of the Croatian Judo Federation.
At the heart of the discussions was a shared vision: to further develop judo as a structured and accessible school sport across Europe, helping young people benefit not only from physical activity but also from the values the sport promotes respect, discipline, courage and mutual welfare.
Croatia was highlighted during the meeting as a leading example of successful implementation. Since 2013, judo has been integrated into the national school sports competition system, demonstrating how cooperation between a national judo federation and a school sports association can create meaningful opportunities for young people. The Croatian model now stands as an inspiring blueprint for wider European development.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding marks a significant milestone, establishing a framework for the implementation, organisation and promotion of judo within the ESSF network, opening the door for more children across Europe to discover the sport within their educational environment.
Dr László Tóth underlined the importance of this partnership for the future of judo:
“Judo has always been much more than a sport. It is a powerful educational tool that teaches young people respect, discipline and responsibility. By strengthening our cooperation with the European School Sport Federation, we are creating new opportunities for children across Europe to experience these values through judo in their daily school life.”
With this agreement, the EJU continues to reinforce its commitment to using judo as a vehicle for education, inclusion and youth development, ensuring that the principles of the sport reach far beyond the tatami and into classrooms across the continent.
Author: EJU Media