European Judo Union
History of EJU
The European Judo Union (EJU) was founded on 28th July 1948 in London. It is a non-political, non-profit organisation, currently established under Austrian Association Law, and represents one of the five continental unions within the International Judo Federation (IJF). The EJU is composed of 51 member national federations or associations, officially recognised by their respective National Olympic Committees. As a continental union within the IJF, the EJU is responsible for implementing the policies of both the IJF and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and it does not discriminate on the grounds of race, religion, gender, or politics.
Judo Values
Judo was created in 1882 by Professor Jigoro Kano. As an educational method derived from the martial arts, judo became an official Olympic sport in 1964. It is a highly codified discipline in which the mind governs the expression of the body, and it plays a significant role in the education of individuals. Beyond competition and combat, judo encompasses technical study, the practice of kata, self-defence training, physical conditioning, and the cultivation of the spirit. Judo is the way of achieving the most efficient use of both physical and mental energy.
Through training in the techniques of attack and defence, the judo practitioner develops both physical and mental strength, gradually embodying the essence of the Way of Judo. The ultimate objective of judo as a discipline is self-perfection, leading to a meaningful contribution to society. Rooted in ancestral traditions, judo was conceived by its founder as a distinctly modern and progressive discipline.
EJU Numbers
EJU Executive Committee
The EJU is governed by the Executive Committee headed by the President elected every 4 years at the EJU Congress. The current composition of the EJU Executive Committee can be found here:
Executive Committee
List of Presidents
1949 John Barnes (GBR)
1949-1954 Aldo Torti (ITA)
1954–1957 Jaap Nauwelaerts D’Agé (NED)
1957–1960 H. Frantzen (GER)
1960–1984 A.J. Ertel (FRA)
1984–1996 Kurt Kucera (AUT)
1996–2000 Frans Hoogendijk (NED)
2000–2007 Marius Vizer (AUT)
2007–2022 Sergey Soloveychik (RUS)
2022 (March – June) Otto Kneitinger (GER)
2022 – present Dr. Lászlo Tóth (HUN)
Offices
The registered seat and the Head Office are located in Vienna, Austria. The Presidential Office is in Budapest.
Commissions
Members of the commissions and sectors play an active role in shaping EJU policy across the full scope of its responsibilities. These commissions address a wide range of matters, including medical, refereeing, financial, and competition-related issues, and provide advice, proposals, and recommendations to the EJU Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may also delegate specific responsibilities to the relevant commissions.
All commissions can be found here: Commissions
Members
There are currently 51 members of the EJU with more than 2.2 Million active judoka.
EJU Awards
Each year, the EJU brings together its member federation presidents, partners, and honorary guests at the Festive Gala Dinner to honour the best athletes, coaches, referees, organisers of EJU events, and other contributors to the development of judo in Europe. Find out more: Gala Dinner 2025
Objectives of the EJU
- To implement the policies of the IJF and the IOC within Europe.
- To unite all European judoka and promote cordial and friendly relations among its member national federations, while supervising judo activities and safeguarding the interests of judo across Europe.
- To organise and/or oversee European events, support events organised by its members, and assist the IJF in the organisation of other continental, international, and Olympic events.
- To encourage the practice of judo throughout Europe among all segments of the population, with a particular focus on youth.
- To enhance the quality of judo training.
- To oversee the awarding of grades, including Dan ranks, ensuring they comply with EJU and IJF regulations.
- To promote the ideals and objectives of the Olympic movement in collaboration with the IJF; to define technical, sporting, and organisational regulations, ensure their enforcement, and submit proposals to this effect to the IJF.
- To uphold ethics in sport.
- To represent European judo in dealings with third parties and to mediate any disputes between member national federations.
Main Events
The EJU is proud of its flagship events, such as the European Judo Championships (Individual), the Mixed Team European Judo Championships, and the European Club Championships ‘Champions League’. Together, they constitute high-class tournaments featuring elite judoka, which are broadcast on television.
The official EJU calendar comprises more than 50 events each year, including Olympic qualification tournaments, prestigious championships, sports competitions, educational seminars for coaches and referees, and the Judo Festival for enthusiasts of all ages and levels.
EJU Results at the Olympic Games
All EJU member federations and the Executive Committee team are working hard to maintain the standard of the leading Continental Union in judo. The EJU is proud of its seven Olympic champions and 31 medallists from the most recent Olympic Games in Paris.
EJU Education
In addition to its extensive event calendar and by following the motto of the EJU, ‘Judo – More Than Sport’, the EJU offers a variety of educational programmes to support its members.