As the curtain slowly came down on the European Judo Championships Kata Sarajevo 2026, attention already began to shift towards the future. Inside the hall of Hotel Hills, the official flag handover ceremony marked the symbolic transition to next year’s hosts, with Dr Sanda Čorak, President of the Croatian Judo Federation receiving the European Judo Union flag ahead of the 2027 edition in Rijeka, Croatia.
Joining the ceremony were Dr Tóth László, President of the European Judo Union and Branislav Crnogorac, President of the Judo Fédération of the Fédération of Bosnia and Herzegovina, bringing an emotional close to a championship that once again demonstrated the steady growth and importance of kata within European judo.
For Dr Čorak, the excitement surrounding Croatia’s opportunity to host was impossible to hide.
“We are very happy,” she said. “Especially because of the number of participants. This year is a record and it is still growing.”
The growing popularity of kata in Croatia was a recurring theme throughout the conversation. While kata was once viewed by many as a smaller branch of the sport, interest in the discipline is now expanding rapidly across the country.
Dr Čorak pointed to an upcoming national black belt examination in Zagreb as a clear example of that momentum.
“For the first time, we will have 100 participants for a black belt exam in one day. For us, this is a great number.”
The Croatian Judo Federation also sees the continued development of newer kata-related disciplines as an important step forward for younger generations. Events such as ENBU team competitions are helping introduce a different side of judo to developing athletes, one built around precision, cooperation and understanding rather than solely contest performance.
“I hope the interest will continue to grow,” said President Čorak. “Not only within the judo population but also outside it. Judo is for everyone.”
The decision to bring the championships to Rijeka carries special meaning for Croatian judo. While cities such as Zagreb and Poreč have long been established hosts on the European circuit, the federation has made a conscious effort in recent years to spread major events across the country.
Rijeka’s selection is also closely connected to the work of one of Europe’s most respected kata figures, Slaviša Bradić, EJU Head Kata Commissioner, whose contribution to kata development in Croatia and internationally was warmly acknowledged by Dr Čorak.
“He has always wanted to organise something like this and Rijeka may not be able to organise some of the bigger championships but for kata, it is perfect.”
The Croatian federation now sees value not only in hosting events successfully, but in ensuring different regions and communities across the country have the opportunity to experience top-level judo firsthand.
“Now we have Dubrovnik, Split, Poreč and Rijeka all hosting events. We want people to be able to watch judo in their own city.”
Croatia has earned a strong reputation over recent years for delivering high-quality international events, something Dr Čorak modestly brushed off with a laugh.
“For us, it is simple. We sit down, have one meeting, decide who is doing what, and then the work starts.”
After hosting the Senior European Championships in 2024, the return of another continental championship to Croatia already feels significant for the federation. Yet for Dr Čorak, there is an additional satisfaction in the fact that kata will take centre stage.
“I’m happy that it is the Kata Championships,” she concluded. “To show people that judo is not only fighting. This is also judo.”
See you in Rijeka.
Author: EJU Media