With 16 gold, 17 silver, and 10 bronze medals, the Polish team finished the Warsaw Veterans Cup 2026 in 1st place in the medal standings, confirming their dominance and exceptionally high sporting level.
This result clearly shows that veterans’ judo is not merely about competition “after the prime years,” but a fully valued part of the judo community, a place where experience meets passion and where competition continues to bring great emotions and motivation. Veterans inspire through their consistency and dedication, proving that sport can be practiced throughout life, regardless of age or career stage.
Lets here from some of the medallists.
Kazimierz Jarowicz (POL), silver medal M9 -81 kg
Q: What does winning a medal at the European Veterans Cup mean to you at this stage of your life, competing in the oldest veterans’ age category?
Kazimierz Jarowicz: First of all, it is a tremendous satisfaction, but also a source of pride for my family. I see admiration in the eyes of my children and grandchildren and I have twelve of them altogether. That is truly something wonderful for me and gives me enormous motivation to keep going.
Q: What motivates you to continue competing in veterans’ events?
KJ: The most important things are satisfaction and friendship. The gestures of friendship that you can see here in the hall create a truly unique atmosphere. What matters most is how we treat each other as veterans. We see these competitions as a celebration. We come not only to compete but also to meet with friends.
Q: What are your next sporting goals?
KJ: My dream is to stand on the top step of the podium and achieve the highest positions in the world of veterans’ judo. I would also love for dozens or even hundreds of people to stand with me and listen to the Polish national anthem together. That is my dream, and I hope to make it come true.
Particularly important is the development of women’s veterans’ judo. Each start by another female athlete is not only a fight for medals but also a step toward building courage in other women who often wonder whether it is worth returning to the mat after many years. Seeing women compete, win, and enjoy the experience proves that sport can remain a beautiful part of life at every stage.
Beata Pepera -57 kg winner (F2), Ne-waza silver medallist -63 kg
Q: What did you feel at the moment when the referee announced your victory and you knew you had won the gold medal? What emotions did you experience?
Beata Pepera: At that moment, I felt enormous satisfaction and fulfillment, I had the feeling that my mission was accomplished. I came here with a clearly defined goal, and I knew that only gold mattered.
Q: Many women still hesitate about returning to the mat after years away, what would you say to those who are unsure whether they can still do it?
BP: I would tell them that it is worth trying because returning to the mat is a great motivation to take care of yourself, stay in good physical condition, and feel comfortable in your own body. Judo brings tremendous satisfaction.
Q: Competing in veterans’ categories is not only about sport, but also about joy and a strong sense of community, what makes it worth trying and discovering how wonderful a return to judo can be?
BP: One of the greatest values of competing as a veteran, apart from meeting friends and enjoying competition, is the opportunity to combine tournaments with travel and discovering new places. Many competitions take place in very interesting cities, allowing us to combine sport with sightseeing and new adventures. During our senior careers, there was often no time for this, now it gives additional joy and motivation to keep competing.
It is worth emphasizing that the development of this category has significance not only in sporting terms, but also socially. It shows that physical activity, competition, and sporting passion do not end with the conclusion of a senior career, on the contrary, they can continue, bringing satisfaction, emotions, and new goals for many years to come.
Thank you, Warsaw!
Author: Ewa Kempka
Author: EJU Media