Author: Andrzej Mucha
Radom delivered a landmark edition of the European Kata Tournament in 2026, as a record number of competitors gathered for a full day of precise, high-level performance. More than 150 athletes from 13 nations took to the tatami across cadet, junior and senior divisions, marking the strongest participation since the event’s inception and underlining the continued growth of kata judo across Europe.
Positioned as the final European Kata Tournament ahead of the European Judo Championships Kata Sarajevo 2026, the competition offered a vital reference point for athletes fine-tuning their preparations. Across all disciplines, the standard remained consistently high, with pairs demonstrating technical accuracy, synchronisation and composure under pressure.
In the cadet Katame-no-Kata category, the Polish duo Michał Śmieja and Antonina Sypniewska delivered a confident and controlled performance to secure gold, much to the delight of the home crowd.
“We feel a lot of happiness and satisfaction. We are proud of the work we have done and grateful to our coaches. We gave everything on the tatami and it paid off,” said Michał Śmieja and Antonina Sypniewska.
“The key to our performance was working with our coaches. They prepared us very well and organised valuable training sessions, including with world champion Tycho van der Werff. We are very grateful for the opportunity to train with him and it was one of the keys to our success,” added Michał Śmieja and Antonina Sypniewska.
In the junior Nage-no-Kata category, Hungary’s Tapolcsanyi Dorottya and Hudanik Peter rose to the top of the podium following a composed display, despite moments of uncertainty during their performance.
“At first, I was surprised because we knew we had made some mistakes and thought we had lost too many points. Then I saw the scoreboard and realised we were in first place, and I was very happy,” said Hudanik.
“For me, the key was 100% trust. Even after a mistake, my teammate managed to recover and save the kata, and that made the difference,” he concluded.
The senior field also produced standout moments, particularly in Itsutsu-no-Kata, where Italy’s Maurizio Calderini and Barbara Meconi claimed gold in what was their first performance in the discipline.
“I feel very good. It was our first time performing Itsutsu-no-Kata, so winning the gold medal makes us especially happy,” said Maurizio Calderini.
“The key was to remain calm and fluid in every technique, while fully expressing each moment of the kata,” he added.
Beyond the medal table, the event once again highlighted the strength of Europe’s kata development pathway, with cadet and junior categories showcasing a promising new generation of athletes. The continued inclusion of the Adapted Kata (1B category) in Nage-no-Kata further reinforced the European Judo Union’s commitment to inclusivity, ensuring opportunities for all judoka to perform on the continental stage.
Operationally, the tournament ran with notable efficiency, supported by close cooperation between the EJU Kata Commission and the officiating body. The day prior also featured a comprehensive seminar for judges, coaches and competitors, alongside examinations for new EJU Kata Judge licences across all kata disciplines, further strengthening the technical foundation of the sport.
Reflecting on the event, Dr Slavisa Bradic, EJU Head Kata Commissioner, emphasised both the scale and significance of this year’s edition:
“I am exceptionally pleased and surprised by the high turnout compared to last year. I would like to congratulate the EJU Kata Commission and the organisers for an excellent job. I have also been informed by the organisers about a larger venue that will be used starting next year, which fully meets all requirements for major kata competitions. Naturally, I am particularly delighted to see the growing number of young competitors, as well as the high level of quality and motivation they displayed in their performances.”
With Radom now complete, the focus shifts decisively towards Sarajevo. Final preparations will continue at club level across Europe before the kata community reconvenes for the European Judo Championships Kata Sarajevo 2026, set to take place from 16–17 May.
Radom Kata Tournament Results
Author: EJU Media