The EJU Get Together Velika Gorica 2025 has officially come to a close. The afternoon session kept the energy high, with heartwarming moments and impressive displays of skill lighting up the tatami and just when spirits couldn’t get any higher, a surprise guest dropped in, Spider-Man himself! In a brilliant moment between the morning and afternoon sessions, the friendly neighbourhood superhero paid a visit to celebrate the real heroes of the day: the judo athletes. With smiles, high-fives and plenty of excitement, it was a reminder that courage comes in all forms, and today, it wore both capes and judogi.
Libby Turner, a British judoka who lives with autism and ADHD, competed internationally for the first time today. Libby, from Rush Judo Club, began her journey doing ‘hobby judo’ and wouldn’t speak to anyone when she first stepped onto the mat. She has come a long way since then, and thanks to judo, has developed exceptional social skills. Following the event, she shared her feelings with excitement:
“Today was really good, I thoroughly enjoyed it. This was actually my first international competition; I have only ever competed in the UK before, so it was quite a big deal for me. I was a bit nervous at first, but I am really glad I took part. What I love most about judo is meeting new people and learning new skills, it is something I genuinely enjoy.
“Coming to Croatia has been brilliant as well. I had never been before, so getting the chance to explore somewhere new and see all the architecture was really interesting. Judo gives me a lot, it keeps me active, it is fun and it is helped me gain confidence and improve my social skills. I have been doing judo since I was 15, I am 21 now, and compared to other sports I have tried, like athletics, basketball and swimming, judo is much more physical and gives me so much more in return. It is definitely made a positive impact on my life.”
In contrast, Jurgen van der Heijden of the Netherlands is a well-seasoned judoka with plenty of experience. The 34-year-old Dutchman, who was born with Dandy-Walker Syndrome, shared his emotions:
“I really enjoyed today, judo is absolutely brilliant. I feel strong when I do it, and it is great fun. I have tried other sports before, like swimming and skiing but nothing compares to the feeling I get from judo. It gives me energy and makes me feel better in everyday life too. It is not just about winning, sometimes you learn even more when you lose. For me, judo is more than just a sport, it keeps me going, gives me confidence, and brings me real joy.”
Full results are available online via the following link. The EJU Get Together will continue in August, with the next stop in Győr, Hungary. To stay up to date with all the latest information, be sure to join our Adapted Judo Telegram channel.
Author: Szandra Szogedi