Tokyo Grand Slam 2023 - Tokyo, Japan

THE GRAND FINALE

With 535 athletes from 88 nations competing in the Tokyo Grand Slam 2023, we are already counting almost 200 more athletes than in the previous edition. Another hope for change will come from the international athletes as only one gold medal did not go to the Japanese team in the…

29 November 2023

International Conference: Safe Falling For The Elderly Through Judo

TOKAI UNIVERSITY TAKES ON 'SAFETY FALLS'

This was the first time the “International Conference Safe Falling for the Elderly through Judo” wasorganised together with University of Hertfordshire, Tokai University and the IJF Academy. The event was hosted by Tokai University in Japan. A total of 42 delegates attended from 14 national federations including the likes of…

29 November 2023

A WEEK WITH SHIRINE BOUKLI

Shirine BOUKLI, a name that has been rapidly gaining recognition in the world of judo, is a truly remarkable athlete. With her exceptional skills and unwavering determination, she has quickly risen through the ranks and is now considered one of the most prestigious opponent in the -48kg category.  What sets…

28 November 2023

Lukas Krpalek has not yet made a final decision

TOKYO START, YES OR NO?

His CV needs little explanation in the international judo scene: Lukas KRPALEK (CZE), 33, 2-time Olympic champion and world champion, 3-time European champion, 3-time Grand Slam winner and EJU athlete spokesman. The golden frame with his name on the back betrays his star status, even if the top-athlete likes to…

27 November 2023

EJU Get Together in Venray - Venray, Netherlands

"EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE AS IMPORTANT AS EQUAL RIGHTS"

It is farewell time in Venray [EJU Get Together event] and as we pack up our tools and retain our emotions, there is one person left to share her views with us. The leader of the EJU Adapted Judo project, Marina DRASKOVIC, who have put enormous amount of hours into…

26 November 2023

EJU Get Together in Venray - Venray, Netherlands

THANK YOU RUDI!

Rudi Verhagen started judo at the age of 7. Little did he know, it will be the sport he pours his heart into. Rudi practiced judo with his brother, Herman, who, in the early 90’s was diagnosed with brain cancer and landed in a wheelchair. At the time, Rudi was…

26 November 2023

EJU Get Together in Venray - Venray, Netherlands

ADAPTED JUDO KATA EVENT IS SET TO BEGIN

Day two of the EJU Get Together event features the adaptive kata participants. 22 pairs will demonstrate their knowledge of ‘form’ this afternoon. Adapted Judo rules for Kata were created with the aim that every judoka, regardless of ability, could get the opportunity to participate equally in Kata tournaments. To ensure a…

26 November 2023

EJU Get Together in Venray - Venray, Netherlands

“THIS IS A GOOD LIFE LESSON, IT BRINGS YOUR FEET BACK TO EARTH”

Stereotyping, stigma, and discrimination are encounters people with disability face every day. Much of the disabled community faces exclusion from parts of society which others take for granted. Disability exclusion has stemmed from the belief that having a disability makes you ‘less than’. These individuals and their families are often told by…

25 November 2023

EJU Get Together in Venray - Venray, Netherlands

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT KNEITINGER IMPRESSED BY ADAPTIVE EVENT

It is a jaw dropping weekend in Venray as individuals with different level of abilities gather with one common goal, to do judo. The EJU Get Together event impressed many, including Senior Vice President of the EJU, Mr Otto KNEITINGER.  First of all, I would like to convey greetings from…

25 November 2023

EJU Get Together in Venray - Venray, Netherlands

LONG HAULS FOR A SHORT TIME

There are almost 300 judoka from over 25 countries travelled to Venray for the first ever EJU Get Together event. It is the first adaptive competition with the support of the EJU, however, most attendees have been involved in this project for decades. Two overseas countries, Brazil and Japan, travelled…

25 November 2023

EJU Get Together in Venray - Venray, Netherlands

BELGIUM PRESIDENT, MR BONTE JOINS ADAPTIVE JUDO WEEKEND 

It is not every day you see a president by the side of the mat at a judo event. It is even more unusual to see them on the mat. The President of the National Judo Federation of Belgium, Mr. Sébastien BONTE, joined the EJU Get Together workshop as he pursues to…

25 November 2023

EJU Get Together in Venray - Venray, Netherlands

"I WANT EVERYONE TO ACCEPT THEM AND REFEREE BY HEART."

Today evening was concluded with the coaching and refereeing meetings as part of the EJU Get Together function in Venray, the Netherlands. Almost 40 coaches and 20 referees gathered to make the most ahead of the event.  As part of the coaching seminar, all vital elements of the rule book have been…

24 November 2023

EJU Get Together in Venray - Venray, Netherlands

VENRAY IS ABOUT ALL ABILITIES TO DO JUDO

The EJU Get Together has officially began with the first section, Divisioning Workshop. During this session, judoka were observed to ensure they are placed into the right division for the weekend. This procedure is necessary to ensure the safety of all, whilst giving an opportunity to everyone to show case their ability to…

24 November 2023

EJU Get Together in Venray - Venray, Netherlands

“ITS LIKE A BIRTH OF A BABY FOR US TOO”

Hundreds of judoka presently gathering in Venray for the EJU Get Together event, featuring the first Adaptive Judo tournament under the EJU. The weekend will provide an opportunity for individuals to participate in judo at a performance level, showcasing their abilities, not their disabilities, conditions or diagnosis. Yet, input of…

24 November 2023

European Senior Championships Belgrade - Belgrade, Serbia

PRESS CONFERENCE: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

All Red Star judoka are eagerly waiting for the final tournament of the year, the Champions League. The current vice-champions of the strongest club competition within the European Judo Union this season, embark on a quest for the only trophy missing from the trophy cabinet at Ljutice Bogdana. As part…

23 November 2023

LE VOYAGE TO PARIS 2024: AI TSUNODA (ESP)  

Little less then 250 days left until the opening day of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and our judoka are competing week in and week out to fulfil their dreams. This week, we chattered with Paris Grand Slam 2023 winner, Ai TSUNODA. This focused, determined and rather inimitable judoka shared…

23 November 2023

EJU Get Together in Venray - Venray, Netherlands

VENRAY IS SET FOR A HISTORICAL MOMENT

Under the umbrella of EJU, a historic moment awaits for all this weekend as the first test event of the adapted judo competition, EJU Get Together in Venray, will take place in Venray, the Netherlands. The tournament will be held according to the EJU adapted judo rules that were adopted…

20 November 2023

World Children's Day 2023

FOR EVERY CHILD, EVERY RIGHT

Universal Children’s Day, also known as World Children’s Day, takes place today, November 20th. This was the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. On the same day in 1989, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights…

20 November 2023