The ENBU Judo competition brought a different kind of energy to the mat today during the European Judo Championships Kata Sarajevo 2026, blending precision, creativity and the spirit of martial arts performance into one captivating category.
For those less familiar with the discipline, ENBU Judo can only officially take place when at least three teams are entered during the numerical inscription phase. Should fewer than three teams participate, the performances are presented purely as demonstrations. In Sarajevo, the category met the required mark with teams from Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia & Herzegovina stepping onto the tatami.
Unlike traditional kata competition, ENBU offers athletes the opportunity to express their own interpretation of combat simulation through carefully choreographed performances lasting between two and three minutes. Combining techniques of judo and self-defence, the discipline allows the use of imitation traditional Japanese weapons or replica firearms, similar to those seen in Kodokan Goshin-Jutsu. Despite the theatrical nature of the performances, all competitors remain bound by official competition regulations, performing in traditional white judogi.
Behind the artistic expression lies strict evaluation criteria. Teams are judged on technical execution, including efficiency, accuracy and difficulty, as well as choreography, variety and overall composition. Equally important is the embodiment of judo spirit through originality, tradition and presentation. Every movement, reaction and transition contributes towards the final score.
In the end, it was Slovenia who claimed the title of European Kata Champions 2026 in the ENBU category. The six-member delegation of Kora Kojc, Keno Kojc, Kara Kojc, Kira Kojc, Tomo Mihaljević and Tito Karanjac Kroflič delivered a performance full of synchronisation, control and elegance to secure a winning total of 183.0 points. Their routine combined elements from several kata, performed seamlessly to the accompaniment of Skyrim from Tina Guo, leaving a lasting impression on both the judges and spectators in Sarajevo.
Following the remarkable performance, we spoke with coach Robert Kojc, for whom today represented far more than simply European titles and medals:
“ENBU was almost forgotten for many years but now we are witnessing a real rebirth. What makes me happiest is not only that Slovenia won the gold medal but that we saw three nations presenting three completely different interpretations of what ENBU can be. It proves that kata is not limited to formal structures alone, it can also be creative, emotional, artistic and deeply connected to the spirit of judo.
“We wanted our performance to show the full diversity of judo. We combined techniques from many different kata, from ne-waza to tachi-waza, adding rhythm, emotion, music and expression. ENBU gives younger generations a chance to experience kata in a different way, one that connects movement, creativity, teamwork and enjoyment. It opens the door not only for elite kata competitors but also for children, mixed teams and adapted judoka to find their own place within judo.
“Of course winning the gold medal made the team incredibly emotional but for me the biggest victory is seeing ENBU growing again. When athletes leave the tatami smiling, inspired and wanting to create more, then we know we are moving in the right direction. Judo is much more than sport or fighting alone. It is about bringing good people together, sharing ideas, building something collectively and becoming better together through that journey.”
Author: Szandra Szogedi