Episode 2
In the second instalment of our three-part series, Driton “Toni” Kuka recounts the moment that nearly ended his coaching career, the redemption that followed and the millimetre-perfect preparation that has delivered Olympic gold on the world’s biggest stage. The Lowest Point Every coach has a moment that defines them, a…
28 January 2026EJU Marketing Meeting - Belgrade, Serbia
When athletes step onto the tatami at major European competitions, they rarely think about what is beneath their feet. Yet the quality, safety and performance of competition mats can make the difference between confidence and hesitation, between peak performance and injury risk. For Zebra Regupol, that responsibility is both technical…
28 January 2026EJU Marketing Meeting - Belgrade, Serbia
Adidas DD has also renewed its partnership with the European Judo Union for 2026, with CEO Palma Ferracci present in Belgrade to sign the contract extension. In a significant development, the company will expand its commitment by supporting Kids Camp activities, demonstrating a strategic focus on youth development within European…
28 January 2026Erasmus +
Author/Images: JOY Project More than 22,000 participants of all ages and 349 judo coaches across Europe have benefited from the JOY – Judo Connecting Older and Younger Generations Erasmus+ Sport project. After two years of research and pilot activities, the JOY project is now creating a free, multilingual online tool…
28 January 2026The Swedish Judo Federation has been awarded the prestigious Sports Association of the Year 2025 by the Swedish Central Association for the Promotion of Sports, recognising the federation’s exceptional achievements both on and off the tatami. Throughout 2025, the Swedish Judo Federation demonstrated both breadth and elite excellence, securing numerous…
27 January 2026EJU Marketing Meeting - Belgrade, Serbia
When Dragan Marković signed the contract in Belgrade during the EJU Marketing Meeting 2026, Triglav Insurance officially became part of the European Judo Union family but as we sat down following the ceremony, it became clear this isn’t just another corporate sponsorship deal. For Triglav, this partnership represents something deeper,…
26 January 2026Adapted Judo
The European Judo Union is delighted to announce the Adapted Judo calendar for 2026. The calendar is as follows: The EJU calendar has been updated accordingly.
23 January 2026At the Mittersill Olympic Training Camp 2026, Olympic medallists and World champions swapped tatami for ice as they celebrated the approaching Winter Olympic Games and discovered that sliding ice stocks requires a very different kind of balance. The mountains surrounding Mittersill have witnessed countless judo training sessions over the years,…
22 January 2026The ballroom of Belgrade’s Hyatt Regency Hotel witnessed something special on 20 January, a celebration that bridged generations, honoured legends and set ambitious targets for the future. The Judo Federation of Serbia’s gala evening brought together athletes, coaches, officials and dignitaries to recognise achievements from 2024 and 2025. Still, the…
22 January 2026EJU Marketing Meeting - Belgrade, Serbia
The European Judo Union is delighted to announce the continuation of its partnership with VivaTip, the distinguished medal and awards manufacturer, following a successful collaboration in 2025. The agreement was formalised during the recent EJU marketing meeting in Belgrade, where VivaTip’s Chief Executive Officer, Tomislav Vancas, signed the renewed partnership…
20 January 2026EJU Marketing Meeting - Belgrade, Serbia
When the European Judo Union renewed its partnership with Danrho for 2026, it felt less like a contract signing and more like a continuation of a long-standing friendship. Speaking with Rob Kocheise, CEO of Danrho, it quickly became clear that this relationship goes far beyond logos and banners. It is…
20 January 2026EJU Marketing Meeting - Belgrade, Serbia
MyBacknumber.com, the pioneering force behind personalised judo backnumber systems, has renewed its sponsorship commitment to the European Judo Union for 2026. The official contract signing ceremony took place in Belgrade, where CEO Johann Drews represented the company and shared his reflections on the partnership’s journey and his vision for the…
20 January 2026EJU Marketing Meeting - Belgrade, Serbia
Family businesses operate differently. There is a warmth, a personal investment, a sense that every handshake matters because reputation isn’t just corporate, it is deeply personal. That is Essimo. Founded by husband-and-wife team Patrick and Jacqueline van Kalken, Essimo has grown from its roots into a globally recognised judo brand…
20 January 2026EJU Marketing Meeting - Belgrade, Serbia
Magyar László, CEO of #JudoBacknumber, represented the company at the official contract signing ceremony in Belgrade on 20 January 2026. The partnership between #JudoBacknumber and the EJU continues with the company serving as official sponsor for backnumbers and labels across European competitions. Mr Magyar shared his reflections on the partnership’s…
20 January 2026EJU Marketing Meeting - Belgrade, Serbia
Although Tamás Zahonyi, CEO of Official Backnumber, was unable to attend the official contract signing with the EJU on 20 January in Belgrade, he was delighted to share his reflections as a continued partner for backnumbers and sponsorship labels. The collaboration between Official Backnumber and the European Judo Union has…
20 January 2026EJU Marketing Meeting - Belgrade, Serbia
The Millennium Team served as a cornerstone partner for cadet judo throughout 2025 and in 2026 this partnership continues to flourish as the company maintains its position as title sponsor of the European Judo Cadet Tour. Following the official contract signing in Belgrade on 20 January, Mr Stojan Vujko, CEO…
20 January 2026EJU Marketing Meeting - Belgrade, Serbia
The official contract signing ceremony took place on 20 January 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Belgrade, as current and new EJU partners gathered to reflect on achievements in 2025 and outline objectives for the year ahead. IpponGear, a long-standing EJU partner, continues its commitment to European judo through…
20 January 2026This past weekend, Riga became the focal point for three significant events dedicated to the development and promotion of judo in Latvia. The programme combined educational advancement, the cultivation of Kata and mass participation of schoolchildren, demonstrating the breadth and depth of Latvian judo’s evolution. The weekend opened with an…
20 January 2026