The National Judo Federation of North Macedonia has reached a defining moment in its history. Following an extraordinary year of international competitions, the federation has been awarded the best event organiser within the European Judo Union for 2025, a recognition that reflects consistency, ambition and resilience at the highest level of European sport.
The scale of the achievement is unprecedented for the country. Within a single year, Skopje successfully hosted four major EJU competitions: a Junior European Cup, a Senior European Cup, the European Youth Olympic Festival and the European Cadet Championships. For President Vladimir Trpanoski, the achievement is best described with a mixture of pride and realism.
“We had four events, one for juniors and one for seniors but also we organised the European Youth Festival and the European Cadet Championships, and we survived,” Trpanoski said with pride. “Everything was perfect, the competition, the transport, the hotels. That is not easy but the team delivered.”
Beyond the technical success of the events, the award marks a deeper shift in the sporting landscape of North Macedonia. Traditionally, public attention has focused almost exclusively on football, volleyball and handball. When Trpanoski became president six years ago, he made it his mission to change that balance.
“In my country until now people know only about football, volleyball and handball. When I became president, I thought to myself that I must change these things,” he explained. “That was six years ago, and I have many more plans.”
While acknowledging the dominance of traditional sports, Trpanoski is clear that judo is no longer willing to stay in the background. “Normally those three sports get the attention but we don’t stop here. Next year, we are planning judo not only as the best federation but we will work strongly on our membership,” he said.
The strategy is already producing visible results. Across the country, more young children are entering judo halls, drawn not by tradition but by opportunity. “There are young children who now come to venues to become judoka, not to the three traditional sports. That is the aim,” Trpanoski said.
On the competitive side, he remains honest about the challenges that still lie ahead. North Macedonia has yet to produce internationally recognised judo stars, a gap he openly identifies as the next major step. “We don’t yet have international stars or heroes, and that is a challenge. That part is missing,” he admitted. “But we are working on it.”
Progress, however, is already measurable. Only a few years ago, international medals were absent. That picture has changed significantly in 2025. “Three or four years ago we didn’t have medals. This year we won five medals at the Balkan Championships and a silver medal at a European Cup,” Trpanoski noted. “There is a lot of work in progress and we won’t stop here.”
Receiving the EJU award for best event organises of 2025 is, for Trpanoski, not a personal achievement but a collective one. Gratitude sits at the centre of his message. “We are very grateful to be the best European event organiser in 2025. I would like to thank the whole judo family.”
He paid special tribute to EJU President Dr László Tóth, recalling a key moment three years ago that helped shape the federation’s trajectory. “First, I want to thank Mr President László Tóth, who came to us three years ago in North Macedonia. We sat together with the government and at that time Dr Tóth said, ‘I believe in this organisational team and in this small country with 1.5 million people. I believe they can organise all these events.’”
According to Trpanoski, the past year has proven that belief was well placed. “I think the team proved it. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard for these results and this is just the beginning.”
Author: Hans Van Essen