Organised by the IJF Academy, a seven-day professional training programme is taking place in the multifunctional hall of the Institute for Sports and Sports Medicine of the Republic of Serbia, located in Košutnjak. The event brings together 36 judo coaches from across the globe, all participating in intensive sessions aimed at enhancing their skills and deepening their professional development.
At the invitation of Mr Ivan Todorov, Vice President of the EJU and President of the Serbian Judo Federation, the EJU President, Dr Tóth László, attended as the special guest of the event. During his two-day visit to Belgrade, Dr Tóth took part in several key activities.
Visit to the IJF Academy
President Tóth greeted the participants of the IJF Academy and took part in a group photo before reflecting on his earlier visit to the National Training Centre in Košutnjak:
“Last year, I had the great honour of attending the ceremonial opening of this beautiful judo centre. Today, one year later, I can see the remarkable progress made, not only for Serbian judo but for this outstanding dojo. It is now brimming with energy and filled with programmes. We are truly beginning to transform the National Judo Centre into an international, a European Judo Centre,” said Dr Tóth.
Mr Todorov also underlined the significance of the centre in Serbia’s judo development:
“With the support of the Serbian government, our long-standing dream has become a reality through the establishment of the National Training Centre. The real work begins now, fully utilising our resources to advance the sport further. One of the centre’s major strengths is the joint training of all national teams and regular preparations held here. Additionally, through the IJF Academy, coaches can now receive both theoretical and practical training in the Serbian language and work towards earning IJF coaching licences,” emphasised Mr Todorov.
Looking ahead, Košutnjak will soon serve as the venue for the Olympic Training Camp (OTC), scheduled to take place in less than two months. Delegations from over 50 countries are expected to send their top athletes to prepare in Belgrade.
“By hosting the OTC, we are sending a strong message: Serbia is not only home to top-level athletes and historical results, but it also possesses significant organisational capacity. This year, we will also host the Champions League final on 22 November. In 2026, Belgrade will welcome the European Senior Team Championships, in addition to continuing as a host of the IJF Academy and regular OTC events. Our plans are clear: to grow, to promote judo, and to strive for better results each year,” concluded Mr Todorov.
Visit to the EJU Marketing Office
President Tóth also visited the EJU Marketing Office, headquartered in Belgrade, where he held a brief meeting with Mr Envic Galea, EJU General Treasurer and representative of the IJF Academy. Together with members of the local and the IJF Academy marketing team, they toured the facilities.
Visit to Red Star Judo Club
To conclude his visit, Dr Tóth, accompanied by his hosts and mentors from the IJF Academy, visited the prestigious Red Star Judo Club. This club has the distinction of having contributed the highest number of judoka to Team Serbia at the 2025 World Judo Championships in Budapest.
Belgrade continues to emerge as a dynamic hub for international judo, both in terms of athletic performance and educational infrastructure. With strong leadership, state support, and an ambitious vision for the future, Serbia is composed to play a central role in the global judo community.
Author: Szandra Szogedi