Author: Polisportiva Villanova
Pordenone is preparing to host the 42nd edition of the Villanova Trophy, a historic event dedicated to judo kata, scheduled between 13-15 February at the PalaFlora in Pordenone. The competition will welcome athletes, coaches and officials from across Europe and overseas. The event is organised by Polisportiva Villanova of Pordenone with the patronage of the Municipality of Pordenone and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.
Founded more than forty years ago, the Villanova Trophy has become one of the leading events on the national and international kata calendar, with steadily growing participation and an increasingly high technical level. Overall, approximately 300 visitors are expected to arrive to Pordenone. Among the announced stars are Andrea Fregnan and Pietro Corcioni, Italy’s world champion kata pair, alongside many other decorated pairs from across Europe, further enhancing the prestige of the competition.
“I would like to congratulate the organisers of the Villanova Trophy,” said Alessandro Basso, Mayor of Pordenone. “Bringing together sporting and social activity while engaging young people represents a fundamental value. Events like this make athletes true ambassadors of our city beyond Pordenone’s borders and represent an important and ambitious milestone for us. Thank you all and enjoy a great day of sport. Keep going because the city of Pordenone is proud of you.”
The event begins on Friday, 13 February with a referees’ seminar and examinations for those seeking European referee qualification. Around 30 judges from across Europe are expected to take part in the exams to obtain the coveted EJU referee status.
Saturday, 14 February will be dedicated to the EJU Kata Tournament, a key international competition. Pordenone represents the opening stage of the EJU Kata Tour, an eight-stop circuit that will continue across several European cities. A total of 74 pairs and approximately 30 judges from 17 nations will participate: Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Austria, Croatia, Poland, Belgium, France, Greece, Finland, the Netherlands and the United States. The opening ceremony will feature the children’s choir of Rosmini Primary School performing the Italian and European anthems.
The programme continues on Sunday, 15 February with the Trofeo Italia, a national competition featuring 105 pairs, however, will include several international participants who will also compete in the EJU Kata Tournament, underlining the growing interest and participation in kata competition.
“The Villanova Trophy,” explains Edoardo Muzzin, Technical Director of Polisportiva Villanova and founder of the event, “once again confirms itself as a moment of sport, connection and technical growth, capable of bringing together tradition, passion and high-level competition, placing Pordenone at the centre of international kata judo. Born in Villanova more than four decades ago, the event has grown year after year thanks to the dedication of volunteers, coaches and athletes, becoming a recognised reference point at national and European level. Our goal has always been to promote the authentic values of judo, encourage sporting exchange and create opportunities for cultural connection, offering athletes a quality stage and the region a prestigious event. Seeing such strong participation today is deeply rewarding and motivates us to continue with enthusiasm.”
For the adapted judo section, the event ambassador is Italian Paralympic table tennis champion Pamela Pezzutto, who shared a powerful sporting and human message: “It is a pleasure for me to present awards to the judo athletes. Adapted judo is an achievement reached by athletes with disabilities; it helps improve balance, motor skills and autonomy but above all it is inclusive. It represents an extraordinary opportunity for both personal and sporting development. The presence of athletes with disabilities across different disciplines is a constantly expanding movement, reaching increasingly high professional levels, comparable to those of able-bodied athletes. My sincere thanks go to everyone who works every day to make this possible, and to the companions who support athletes with disabilities through their journey of training, sacrifice and competition.”
For the first time, the competitions will be streamed online on JudoTV.com, expanding the international visibility of the event and allowing fans and professionals to follow the action live from abroad.
Author: EJU Media