The Spanish National Judo Championships, held for the first time in the picturesque setting of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria this weekend, brought together the best of Spain’s judoka for a thrilling day of competition. The event culminated in the annual Gala Dinner, which celebrated not only the achievements of the athletes but also the ongoing growth and success of Spanish judo within Europe. Among the attendees was the President of the Spanish Olympic Committee, Mr. Alejandro BLANCO.
EJU President, Dr. TOTH Laszlo, was a guest of honour at both events, highlighting the importance of Spain’s contribution to European judo. Speaking afterwards, Dr. Toth remarked,
Spain has consistently demonstrated not only excellence in judo but also a strong commitment to the values of our sport. The passion and dedication I witnessed here are truly inspiring. Spain is a vital part of the European judo family. Its contributions to our sport, through athletes, coaches, and innovative programs, have a lasting impact on the growth of judo across the continent.
The evening’s Gala Dinner, which primarily celebrated the 75th anniversary of Spanish judo, also served as an opportunity to reflect on the successes of recent years and to look forward to the future. During the event, several awards were presented. The President of the Spanish Judo Federation, Mr. Juan Carlos BARCOS NAGORE, honored Dr. Toth with a special emblem of appreciation. In turn, EJU President Dr. Toth recognised Mr. Barcos’s decade of dedicated service by presenting him with the prestigious EJU Order of Merit Award.
The EJU President also recognised the achievements of Spanish judo at the Paris 2024 Olympics. To commemorate this success, Dr. Toth presented the Paris Plaque to the NOC President, Mr. Blanco. The award was also received by Olympic coach Mr. Quino RUIZ, who accepted the accord on behalf of his athlete too, Paris Olympic bronze medallist, Francisco GARRIGOS. Finally, on behalf of the International Judo Federation and its President, Mr. Marius VIZER, Dr. Toth presented the IJF Gold Medal to Mr. Barcos. This award also symbolises a token of appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the Spanish Judo Federation.
As the celebrations came to an end, it was evident that the Spanish judo community had much to celebrate and a promising future on both the European and global stage. Today, the National Championships continue with the spotlight on the veteran competitors.
Images: Gabi Juan
Author: Szandra Szogedi