Sergei Aschwanden and Nuno Delgado

RESPECT: RIVALRIES AND SHARED MISSIONS

As we conclude September, the assigned month of the judo value ‘Respect’, we reference the past and present work of the EJU Vice President, leader of the Education sector, Sergei ASCHWANDEN and Judo for Children project co-lead, Nuno DELGADO.  Most will know these names, but not in the professional capacity…

30 September 2023

Prague European Open 2024 - Prague, Czech Republic

THE SEARCH FOR THE HOLY GRAIL

Following a shocking yet exciting announcement, we are all now well aware of the return of Olympic bronze medallist, Ugo LEGRAND (FRA). After an eight year hiatus, Legrand is back on the scene and we will be honoured to have the talented technician back on the European Judo stage this…

29 September 2023

Prague European Open 2023 - Prague, Czech Republic

50 YEARS IN THE MAKING

This year may mark the 15th that Czech Judo have been hosting the European Open event, formerly known as a World Cup, however, the reality is that it has been running a great deal longer. President of the Czech Judo Federation Pavel VOLEK gave us the background to this event…

27 September 2023

2nd International Training & Research Seminar, Safe fall-safe schools, Judo Ukemi at school - Seville, Spain

SAFE FALL-SAFE SCHOOLS IN SEVILLE

On behalf of the European Judo Union, we are pleased to invite you to the 2nd International Training & Research Seminar, Safe Fall-Safe Schools, Judo Ukemi at School to be held in Seville, Spain, on Saturday, November 25th, 2023. Following a successful first seminar in Eastbourne, UK, it is a pleasure to…

27 September 2023

Prague European Open 2023 - Prague, Czech Republic

PRAGUE IS PACKING PUNCHES

The Czech Judo Federation consistently host incredible events, and this weekend we continue with the European Judo Tour in the capital of Prague. Almost 500 athletes from 43 nations, will be attending the European Open on the 30th of September and 1st of October, with some major names in the…

26 September 2023

Baku Grand Slam 2023 - Baku, Azerbaijan

NUMBER ONE STATUS

The third and final day of the Heydar Aliyev Baku Grand Slam saw the remaining five weight categories; -90kg, -78kg, -100kg, +78kg and +100kg go head to head for the gold medals.  Unlike on the previous two days, Azerbaijan could not look forward to a final hurrah, however there were…

24 September 2023

Baku Grand Slam 2023 - Baku, Azerbaijan

GUARANTEED GOLDS

The Baku Grand Slam was explosive today, and once again Azerbaijan had two opportunities to take the gold medal; from Hidayat HEYDAROV (-73kg) and Zelim TCKAEV (-81kg). Regardless of their end result, it was a tremendous day for Europe, with an impressive four all-European finals. Of course the focus was…

23 September 2023

Baku Grand Slam 2023 - Baku, Azerbaijan

12-SECONDS TO TANGO

On day one of the Heydar Aliyev Baku Grand Slam 2023, Kosovo, Japan and the hosts, Azerbaijan doubled up on their chances for gold medals.  The Azeri judoka were nice surprises for the home crowd, given that their assumed chances of medals and glory saw early exits. The ultimate champion for…

22 September 2023

European Judo Championships Seniors Montpellier 2023 - Montpellier, France

RETURN TO MONTPELLIER

Last week, an EJU delegation made a preparation visit to Montpellier, France, in advance of the Senior European Championships 2023. From the 14th-16th of September, Head Sport Director, Catarina RODRIGUES, Sport Director Urška ŽOLNIR JUGOVAR, Head of Broadcasting & Venue Management, Igor VUJNOVIĆ, Assistant to President, Fanni TOTH and Assistant…

21 September 2023

Vaud Générations Champions Ambassador: Binta Ndiaye

NDIAYE LIVES THE VALUES OF JUDO

At only 18 years old, Swiss judoka, Binta NDIAYE has achieved a cadet European title, as well as a junior European bronze earlier this month, to go along with her collection of two junior world bronze medals. Not only has she been noticed by her results and repertoire of wonderful…

21 September 2023

Baku Grand Slam 2023 - Baku, Azerbaijan

BACK TO GRAND SLAMS IN BAKU

The Baku Grand Slam, held between the 22nd and 24th of September, is reading like a who’s who of the IJF World Tour, with six current world ranked number ones competing for the top prize, not only monetary, but the 1000 world ranking points that comes with the gold medal. …

20 September 2023

GIJON HOSTS EU SPORT CONGRESS

Between the 20th and 22nd of September, the city of Gijon, Spain, will be the host of the European Sport Congress. This is the inaugural event dedicated to increasing the impact and visibility of sport projects. In their statement regarding what they hope to achieve, they outline the importance of…

19 September 2023

Fifth two-day-working session this year

BUREAU MEETING IN POREČ

The fifth EJU Bureau two-days-meeting was held in Poreč (CRO). Considering that the competiton and events calendar is extremely demanding these weeks, a combination of a live-hybrid meeting was chosen, four members travelled to Croatia, while the remaining two members attended the meeting via conference call. The main topics of…

18 September 2023

Sarajevo European Open 2023 - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

MAMMADLI ON THE EJU TOUR

Often we see athletes retire from competitive judo and transition in to coaching positions, or take up roles within their federations. One of those former athletes is Elnur MAMMADLI. Mammadli is a well-known member of our judo community, in the first decade of this millennia he accomplished what many can…

18 September 2023

Sarajevo European Open 2024 - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

BIH TAKES TWO GOLD MEDALS, PLJEVAČIĆ – NEW FACE ON PODIUM

The second day of competition in Sarajevo from the European Judo Tour series brought a handful of exciting fights. Again, the home crowd had the most reason to celebrate, which happily watched the victories and celebrations of the competitors from BIH at the European Open. Today, Bosnia and Herzegovina had…

17 September 2023

Sarajevo European Open 2024 - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

SAMARDŽIĆ MEETS EXPECTATIONS: "MY HEART WAS REALLY FULL"

The first day at the European Open in Sarajevo could not have started better for the host of the 1984 Winter Olympics. In the hall of the “Hills” hotel, a real treat for the fans from Bosnia and Herzegovina who had the opportunity to cheer on Anđela SAMARDŽIĆ in the…

16 September 2023

FEDERATION FRIDAY: POLAND 

Poland is a country in east-central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative provinces called voivodeships, covering an area of 313,931 km². Bordered by seven nations, Poland has buffed and faded over the centuries, pummelled by the forces of regional history. Poland has a population of around 38 million and is…

15 September 2023

EJU Education Commission meeting

FROM SAFE FALL TO ADAPTED JUDO

The agenda of the EJU Education Commission Meeting in The Hague was packed. For two days, a wealth of projects and topics were dealt with. An overview of the most important topics currently occupying EJU Vice-President Sergei ASCHWANDEN and his team: o Oscar DELCASTILLO-ANDRES, professor at the University of Seville,…

14 September 2023