The three-day youth festival, European Judo Hopes, will get underway in Győr this Friday, 29 May, bringing together Europe’s rising talents in the U14 and U16 age categories. The event will take place at the Olympic Sports Park and will feature technical sessions led by world-class judoka, including Japan’s Misato Nakamura and Portugal’s Telma Monteiro.
For many years, Győr has played a significant role in the development of judo in Hungary and across Europe. The city has regularly hosted national championships, ranking tournaments and national school finals, whilst also welcoming major international events such as the Olympic qualification European Open in 2024, the U23 European Championships in 2018, the Cadet European Championships in 2002 and the European Youth Olympic Festival in 2017. Since 2017, Győr has also been the annual home of the Cadet European Cup, and in 2025 the western Hungarian city hosted both the European Judo Hopes event and an Adapted Judo event.
The European Judo Hopes series was launched in 2024 with the aim of supporting younger age groups that previously had neither continental circuits nor major international championships available to them. However, the initiative is about far more than competition alone. Alongside the contests, young judoka and their coaches take part in educational seminars and technical sessions led by some of the sport’s most respected figures.
Between 29 and 31 May, Győr will welcome two major stars of world judo. Japan’s Misato Nakamura, a two-time Olympic bronze medallist, three-time world champion and three-time Asian champion, will share her expertise with the next generation. Joining her will be Portugal’s Telma Monteiro, Olympic bronze medallist, six-time European champion and five-time world medallist, who will also guide athletes through technical training sessions throughout the weekend.
The programme begins on Friday evening, 29 May, following accreditation, with a 90-minute seminar starting at 17:00. Competition will then continue throughout the weekend, alongside further technical sessions.
Last year’s European Judo Hopes event in Győr, held for the U13 and U15 age groups, attracted almost 300 young judoka from 19 nations. Hungary enjoyed outstanding success on home soil, finishing top of the medal table with 13 gold, 10 silver and 14 bronze medals. The event also featured technical seminars led by Serbian world silver medallist and European champion Aleksandar Kukolj, alongside Japanese Kodokan expert Kazuhiko Tokuno.
Increased Focus on the New Age Categories
This year, the Hungarian Judo Association introduced significant structural changes by modifying the country’s officially recognised youth age categories.
“We studied how youth age groups are structured in neighbouring countries and wanted to align our own system accordingly,” explained Cirjenics Miklós, Sports Director of the Hungarian Judo Association.
“There was a professional discussion around the idea that the U14 and U16 categories would suit us better than the U15 system because it creates a smoother transition into the cadet level without such a large age gap. We submitted a proposal and several countries supported a similar approach. Following a survey, the European Judo Union decided that from 2026 onwards, the EJU Judo Hopes series would officially be organised for the U14 and U16 age groups.”
These age categories have already been receiving greater attention in Hungary. Over the past year and a half, the federation has regularly organised professional development days featuring technical sessions and seminars led by internationally successful athletes and coaches.
“We work with between 40 and 60 athletes in the Hungarian U14 and U16 national teams throughout the year. During these camps and professional days, we are able to train with well over 100 participants, while coaches working within clubs across the country also attend the events. For 2026, we have planned five national professional days and seminars, in addition to several regional training gatherings,” added Cirjenics, who represented Hungary at both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and has served as Sports Director of the Hungarian Judo Association since 2025.
The introduction of the new age groups has also brought two new national coaches into Hungarian judo. The federation appointed two young specialists to lead the development of the categories.
Horváth László is no stranger to the role, having worked for years with the junior national team. He previously coached at UTE Judo Club and is currently head coach of VS Dunakeszi Judo Club.
Alongside him is Olympic and world bronze medallist, two-time European champion Csernoviczki Éva. The Hungarian star concluded her remarkable competitive career after the Tokyo Olympic Games and now works as a coach at Ippon Judo Tatabánya, whilst also serving as Vice-President of the Athletes’ Commission of the Hungarian Olympic Committee.
Both coaches will also be present in Győr this weekend as European judo’s next generation takes centre stage.
Author: Gombkötő Roland
Author: EJU Media