Over the past days, on behalf of Dr Toth Laszlo, EJU President, Dr Slavisa Bradic, EJU Head Kata Commissioner paid a visit to the Judo Federation of North Macedonia. The visit was marked by a series of meetings aimed at strengthening the operations of the national judo federation and enhancing the sport’s development in the country.
The Judo Federation of North Macedonia has been increasingly active in promoting the sport across different sectors. During the discussions, several key topics were addressed, including the federation’s future initiatives in collaboration with the European Judo Union, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of the Interior and local administrative bodies. Among the projects discussed were Judo for Police, Judo in Schools, and Kata for All, which aim to expand judo’s reach and impact throughout the nation.
Mr. Vladimir Trpanoski, the President of the Judo Federation of North Macedonia and Mr. Goran Mickoski, the General Secretary, expressed a strong commitment to furthering judo’s growth and establishing conditions for achieving top competitive results. To support this vision, discussions were also held with Mr. Borche Jovcheski, the mayor of the city of Prilep, who pledged to assist in addressing a crucial need, the establishment of a dedicated dojo. Reflecting on the visit, Dr Bradic stated.
The work in the Judo Federation of North Macedonia is evident, they are showing great ambition and dedication to the growth of our sport. With the right support and initiatives, I have no doubt that they will achieve significant milestones. The collaboration between the EJU and national institutions will be instrumental in this progress. Additionally, it is always a pleasure to see countries investing into judo projects beyond high performance level. The Kata for All initiative for example is one of the great forte for every federation to have.
Another significant highlight of the visit was the promotion of the biography of the 75-year-old judoka, Kiro Zdraveski, who has chronicled his remarkable life journey in a book. The event saw the presence of leading members of the Judo Federation of North Macedonia, the mayor of Pirot and various representatives from the judo community, including Judo Club Seishin.
North Macedonia, and in particular its capital, Skopje, is preparing for a dynamic summer as it hosts major competitions such as the cadet European Judo Championships and the Summer European Youth Olympic Festival 2025.
Author: Szandra Szogedi