In the midst of the 2026 Senior European Judo Championships, the annual Gala Dinner took place, attended by several distinguished guests. Dr Tóth László, President of the European Judo Union, and Levan Nozadze, President of the Georgian Judo Federation, both addressed the attendees. Following the welcome speeches by the two leaders, the evening’s official awards ceremony commenced.
Best European Female Judoka 2025
Awardee: 2025 world champion, the first ever female Georgian judoka to become a world champion in judo and the freshly crowned European Champion, Eteri Liparteliani (GEO).
Presented by: Vice President, Catarina Rodrigues and Referee Director Education, Juan Carlos Barcos
Best European Male Judoka 2025
Awardee: European and world champion of 2025, Inal Tasoev (RUS)
Presented by: General Treasurer, Envic Galea and Secretary General, Martin Poiger
Best European Junior Female Judoka 2025
Awardee: Junior European and world champion of 2025, Celia Cancan (FRA)
Presented by: Head Sport Director, Urska Zolnir Jugovar and Education Director, Gevrise Emane
Member of the Referee Commission of France Judo and EJU Referee Commissioner, Cathy Mouette received the award on behalf of Celia Cancan.
Best European Women’s Coach 2025
Awardee: Amongst a long list of achievements, he also led two world champions (Assunta Scutto and Alice Bellandi) at the 2025 edition, Antonio Ciano (ITA).
Presented by: Sport Director, Alessandro Comi and Head Marketing Director, Oleksandr Nagibin
Best European Men’s Coach 2025
Awardee: The winner himself had an incredible career and led two world champions to victory (Timur Arbuzov and Inal Tasoev) at the 2025 edition, Arsen Galstyan (RUS).
Presented by: Sport Director Agron Kuka and Development Director, Branislav Crnogorac
Best European Female Referee 2025
Awardee: Refereed at five senior Europeans (individual), seven senior world championships and at two Olympic Games, Roberta Chyurlia (ITA).
Presented by: Head Referee Director, Alexandr Jatskevitch and Advisory Board Member, Micha Van Herk
Best European Male Referee 2025
Awardee: Refereed at 10 senior Europeans (individual), eight World championships, one Paralympic and one Olympic Games, Gosztonyi Balazs of Hungary.
Presented by: IJF Head Referee Director, Armen Bagdasarov and Presidential Advisory Board Member, Esa Niemi
EJU Award for Contribution to the Development of Education 2025
Awardee: The winner has fully devoted both her personal and family life to the education of judo through her club, as well as through several European Union projects: Maria Loredana Lascau and her colleague, Alina Borza from Romania.
Presented by: Vice President, Kristiina Pekkola and Education Director, Ronnie Saez
EJU Fair Play Award 2025
Awardee: The winner, who besides being an exceptional role model, selflessly carried her injured opponent off the mat during the 2025 Veteran World Judo Championships, Lena Sterea (ROU).
Presented by: Sport Director, Sezer Huysuz and Development Director, Moshe Ponte.
Author: EJU Media