For only the second time, the European Championships is being held in Georgia, a country that lives and breathes for judo, a country of passion, history, champions and hospitality. Nowhere could be more aligned with the global judo environment than here!
As the event fervour builds in Tbilisi, there are some procedural matters to take care of, occasions that must take place before the spectacle can fully unfold. First, the draw; an important milestone for all delegations, the moment the fate of the athletes can begin to come into focus.
The draw for the 2026 European Championships took place at the Pullman hotel in the heart of the capital city. National coaches, organisers and media personnel were all present, marking the real launch of a much anticipated liaison. Present for the EJU were EJU President Dr Laszlo Toth, EJU Vice President Ms Catarina Rodrigues, EJU Head Referee Director Mr Alexandr Jatsekevitch and EJU Head Marketing Director Mr Oleksandr Nagibin.
For Georgia, the VIP guests were Georgian Deputy Minister for Sport Mr Irakli Dolaberidze and Georgian Judo Federation President Mr Levan Nozadze.
Welcoming everyone to Tbilisi, Dr Toth had the floor, “Dear Deputy Minister of Sport, dear Georgian Judo Federation President, dear colleagues, dear European judo family and world judo family, dear dinstinguished guests, it’s a great pleasure for me to welcome you to the 2026 senior European Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. I am sure that with this draw, we will start a 4 day celebration of judo spirit, of sport history, the history of judo, and of a future investment in judo. I am so happy that so many champions accepted our invitation and are ready to fight for European titles. 46 countries are participating and this shows the incredible interest from across Europe.
After 17 years, since the last European championships in Tbilisi, we worked hard on the development programme. Three years ago we had the European Club Championships and from there we started a new and different connection with Georgian judo. We are very proud of the EJU executive team and for first time we have David Khevkishvili with us. There is no secret that we will continue to return to Georgia next year and beyond, including for the Europeans championships for juniors, in 2027.
One more time, I repeat that this is a celebration of all our success. Thank you to the Georgian government who support our ideas always.”
Georgian Judo Federation President Mr Levan Nozadze then gave his address, “Welcome everyone, thank you for joining us here in our capital; it’s a big honour. I’m really happy that Tbilisi is hosting this great event. I’m sure our supporters will enjoy not only the judo but our hospitality in the capital of Tbilisi.
First, on behalf of our federation, I express our gratitude to Dr Toth and his team for giving us the opportunity to host this event. Thanks a lot for this trust, we will fulfil all your expectations. At this event we will fill the dreams of many children and supporters, our fans.m, because they will be able to see, in our capital, so many famous athletes and this strong competition.
All this would be impossible without the important work our government is investing in the process. With that support we are hosting many tournaments in our country. I must extend my gratitude to them and the Ministry of Sport. Also, I would like to thank our judo federation team, sponsors and partners for popularising and promoting judo in Georgia.
I must express my special respect to the athletes who come here, as well as to the supporters. I would like to wish the athletes a safe and successful competiton; I wish for them to achieve their goals. I wish all spectators an unforgettable experience.”
Georgian Deputy Minister of Sport Mr Irakli Dolaberidze then offered his speech, “I would like to welcome representatives of the Georgian Judo Federation, athletes and spectators to this fantastic event. Georgia has rich judo traditions and it’s a big honour for us to host this event here. It’s the second time Georgia hosts the European championships which demonstrates a trust in our country. Hosting so many events here at different levels shows how important we are on the global judo circuit.
Also I would like to mention that it’s the first occasion that Georgia will participate with a full team. Judo is growing here day by day. We have a full women’s team and the interest continues to grow among women and girls in Georgia.
On behalf of the Minister of Sport, I wish success to all athletes here and especially the Georgian athletes. I am sure they will not allow anyone to defeat them and we will listen to our anthem many times. The Ministry of Sport will continue to support judo’s development in the country. For us it’s very important for us to support judo, along with other sports. Judo is the most popular sport among individual Olympic sports in Georgia. Once again thank you for coming to Georgia for this European Championship.
EJU Vice President Ms Catarina Rodrigues then thanked the panel for their warm words and turned everyone’s attention to the event in hand. Summarising all the information needed to access the tournament in the most efficient way possible, Ms Rodrigues laid out the logistical and philosophical details.
“The start time is 10am every day, with the final block being held on one tatami, at 4pm. There is an opening ceremony on day 2.
Judo is more than sport. We ask that everyone follows judo etiquette in our warm-up area and at the competition tatami. We count on you to lead by example and show true judo spirit, taking care of our environment, using rubbish bins, bowing to each other at the right moments, wearing accreditation etc.
Dr Peter Smolders must be informed of any injuries during the competition so that medical certificates can be issued, helping to manage any suspicions around match-fixing or competition manipulation”
Mr Alexandr Jatskevitch then spoke on behalf of the referee commission, “I would like to share information to ensure the quality of refereeing here in Tbilisi. We are happy to have IJF Head Referee Director Mr Armen Bagdasarov here with our EJU team, alongside commission members and 12 referees from 12 countries. We have done our best to have the best referees here to ensure the right winner always leaves the mat. Have the best competition, from all of us.”
With technical matters conducted and the category draws uploaded to the website and JudoTV, it remains simply to wish our European judo family a successful, safe and enjoyable European championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. It promises to be a special event. Join us online!
Author: Jo Crowley