Before embarking on a new year of events in a new cycle, the Sports sector reflected on the previous year. In the calendar the EJU boasted 101 events with a total of 26 organising national federations, with a combined entry of over 30,000. Two new tours were established; European Hopes Tournament and Kodokan Seminar, and the Veteran tour which included ne waza. Concluding the year, the European Club Championship – Champions League followed the IJF format of mixed teams and so it was established in Montpellier. The EJU Coach Commission was established and had a much more active contribution to high performance, and were also present in the IJF and EJU Referee Seminars.
In 2025, the number of event are increasing and new organising national federations will be coming on board. The EJU prime events will held in Montenegro, North Macedonia, Moldova, Riga and Slovakia, and the multi-sport events will include the European Youth Olympic Festival in North Macedonia and the Games of the Small States of Europe in Andorra. There will be a change to the European Hopes Tournament – previously Cup – as it will further include young judoka, not only U15, but U13 as well.

Previously, the EJU has financially supported national federations, but only with their senior athletes, in 2024, 71 athletes from 24 national federations garnered support, collected four Olympic medals and five World Championship medals. For the upcoming year, the project will continue however, the focus will be shifting to also accommodate cadet and junior athletes.
Further activities planned for 2025 include an educational investment, focusing on coaches of young athletes. As the adapted judo continues to grow and events are firmly in place for 2025, there is commitment from the sport sector for more support.
It will be an action-packed year, developing our young athletes, witnessing the best of the best in high performance, continuing support in education and encouraging our entire judo family to continue in the veteran events!
Author: Thea Cowen