Between 27-29 December, Georgia hosted its National Judo Championships, serving as an important testing ground for the new rules set to be implemented in international competitions starting next year. The event was marked by dynamic and engaging contests, reflecting the positive impact of the updated regulations. The championship provided an…
30 December 2024World Ranked #1
NAME: Romane DICKO COUNTRY: FRANCE CATEGORY: +78kg WORLD RANKING POINTS: 5860 If there’s one thing Romane DICKO does better than throwing opponents flat onto the tatami, it is being unapologetically herself. This year, the French powerhouse wrapped up the season as the undisputed world rank leader of the +78kg category. But…
30 December 2024The President of the European Judo Union, Dr TOTH Laszlo, visited Atilla Judo Club in Baku, Azerbaijan. His visit was in honour of an event dedicated to celebrating the club’s achievements over the past year. During the ceremony, the chairman of Atilla JC, Asif ASKEROV, reflected on a highly successful year for both…
29 December 2024It is with great sadness that the Swiss Judo & Ju-Jitsu Association has learned of the passing of Eric Hänni. As his wife Lotty shared, Eric passed away on 25 December, at the age of 86. His death marks the end of an extraordinary life deeply intertwined with the history…
29 December 2024World Ranked #1
NAME: ZELYM KOTSOIEV COUNTRY: AZERBAIJAN CATEGORY: -100KG WORLD RANKING POINTS: 6812 Azerbaijan did not only celebrate one victory in the World Championships or Olympic Games in 2024, but they were able to bathe in the glory once more, as Zelym KOTSOIEV hailed the flag and sounded the national anthem in Abu…
29 December 2024World Ranked #1
NAME: Anna-Maria WAGNER COUNTRY: GERMANY CATEGORY: -78kg WORLD RANKING POINTS: 7753 Anna-Maria WAGNER wrapped up the season as the world rank leader in the -78kg category, proving once again that grit and grace are an unbeatable combination. This was not without its challenges, as relentless competition tested her every move. Adding…
28 December 2024World Ranked #1
NAME: LASHA BEKAURI COUNTRY: GEORGIA CATEGORY: -90KG WORLD RANKING POINTS: 6000 Lasha BEKAURI’s first senior medal on the IJF World Judo came in 2019, an astounding Masters win in Qingdao drew a great deal of attention. It is no surprise as this is one of the most successful categories of Georgian…
27 December 2024World Ranked #1
NAME: BARBARA MATIC COUNTRY: CROATIA CATEGORY: -70KG WORLD RANKING POINTS: 8029 Barbara MATIC of Croatia concludes 2024 as the world ranked number one athlete in the -70kg category. It has not only been a fairytale year, but a cycle for Matic who twice claimed the World title, before adding a European…
26 December 2024World Ranked #1
NAME: TATO GRIGALASHVILI COUNTRY: GEORGIA CATEGORY: -81KG WORLD RANKING POINTS: 6435 It was nothing short of a successful year for the supreme athlete, Tato GRIGALASHVILI of Georgia. With his major wins this year, he can now proclaim himself a three-time World Champion and three-time European Champion, – six including his triumphs…
25 December 2024World Ranked #1
NAME: HIDAYAT HEYDAROV COUNTRY: AZERBAIJAN CATEGORY: -73KG WORLD RANKING POINTS: 8004 2024 was the year for Heydarov, kick starting with a European Championship win in Zagreb, he followed up by taking the World Championship title in Abu Dhabi a mere month later. With the ultimate goal of becoming Olympic Champion, some…
24 December 2024World Ranked #1
NAME: Andreja LESKI COUNTRY: SLOVENIA CATEGORY: -63kg WORLD RANKING POINTS: 6366 When you think of power, precision, and a touch of Slovenian charm wrapped into one athlete, well, you may have many names to mention. However, for this year, it would be Andreja LEŠKI, the name that effortlessly springs to mind.…
23 December 2024To all of our European Judo Family, I would like to send best wishes on behalf of the European Judo Union during this festive period and to conclude an exceptionally successful year. Not only can we celebrate the triumph of our Olympic medallists in Paris 2024, but we can be…
23 December 2024World Ranked #1
NAME: Luka MKHEIDZE COUNTRY: FRANCE CATEGORY: -60kg WORLD RANKING POINTS: 6104 In the fast-paced world of judo, 2024 will forever be remembered as the year Luka Mkheidze ascended to the throne of the -60kg category, finishing as the undisputed world number one. With a style as quick as lightning and a…
22 December 2024ECC Champions League 2024 - Mixed Team - Montpellier, France
The final everyone anticipated, the star-studded line up of Paris Saint-Germain against the wilful power of Red Star Belgrade, who endured a gruelling semi final to reach the prominent position within the FDI Stadium in Montpellier, France. Up first was multiple Olympic medallist, Romane DICKO in the +70kg category for…
21 December 2024ECC Champions League 2024 - Mixed Team - Montpellier, France
Following an all-French collision for the first bronze medal, the FDI Stadium welcomed teams from Georgia and Ukraine to the tatami; Golden Gori and Judo Ukraine, to decide the second bronze medal. The teams bowed, and left the tatami, leaving only their +70kg women; Sophio SOMKHISHVILI (Gori) and Ruslana BULAVINA…
21 December 2024ECC Champions League 2024 - Mixed Team - Montpellier, France
In an all-French bronze medal contest, there was no surprise that the crowd instantly came alive in the final block of the European Club Championships – Champions League 2024. SGS Judo took on Judo Nice Metropole for the chance to claim bronze, and opening the head to head were the…
21 December 2024ECC Champions League 2024 - Mixed Team - Montpellier, France
The semi final contests in the European Club Championships – Champions League 2024 could not have been more opposite. Paris Saint-German (PSG) were the first to secure their place in the Champions League final, completing their devastating straight set against Ukraine Judo before the first contest on the adjoining mat…
21 December 2024ECC Champions League 2024 - Mixed Team - Montpellier, France
At 8am on Saturday the 21st of December, two hours before the doors of the FDI Stadium opened, avid judo fans and clubs alike were lining up at the ticket office, hoping to get a seat to watch their national heroes compete in the grand finale of the year, the…
21 December 2024