On Saturday, 8 February 2025, Portuguese judo star Patrícia Sampaio received a prestigious honour in her hometown of Tomar as the local sports hall was officially renamed in her honour. The ceremony took place during the junior national judo championships and was attended by the Mayor of Tomar, Mr. Hugo Cristóvão; the President of the Portuguese Judo Federation, Mr. Sérgio Pina; the President of the Santarém Judo Association, Mr. António Leal; EJU Vice President, Mrs. Catarina Rodrigues, as well as various sports officials, young athletes and local supporters.
The event came just days after Sampaio’s remarkable gold medal win at the Paris Grand Slam 2025, further cementing her status as one of Portugal’s top judoka. The decision to rename the facility recognised her contributions to the sport and her role as an inspiration for young athletes in Tomar and beyond.
The ceremony commenced with a speech by Mr. Leal, who expressed his honour at the City Council’s recognition of Patrícia Sampaio. Following, Mr. Pina recalled the exhilarating afternoon in Paris where he had the privilege of witnessing Sampaio achieve an unforgettable victory for Portuguese judo. Mayor Cristóvão then delivered an inspiring address, stating:
I usually say welcome to Tomar, capital of the Templars, but today I welcome you all to Patrícia Sampaio Sports Hall! Patrícia is a symbol of dedication and excellence. Her achievements bring pride to Tomar, and it is only fitting that we celebrate her legacy in this way.
A visibly moved Sampaio expressed her gratitude too during the ceremony, saying:
I am very honoured to represent the sport that I love. I am very grateful for all the people that judo has given me. Welcome to Patrícia Sampaio Sports Hall! As I usually say: My home is your home.
After the speeches, EJU Vice President, Mrs. Catarina Rodrigues, on behalf of EJU President Dr. Tóth László, presented the four key figures with a Paris Plaque, a special award created to honour all European Olympic medallists at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Mrs Rodrigues emphasised the significance of this moment:
The EJU is honoured to be associated with this occasion. It is a symbolic but deeply meaningful moment for Patrícia, for the city of Tomar, for Portuguese judo and for the European Judo Union. Recognition of this scale rarely happens so quickly, and we thank the Tomar City Council for taking this initiative. This ensures that Patrícia Sampaio will experience the honour of having a sports hall named after her for many years to come.
Following the speeches, a commemorative plaque was unveiled, officially marking the renaming of the pavilion. Sampaio’s family members took part in the unveiling, adding a personal and heartfelt touch to the celebration.
Once again, welcome to the Patrícia Sampaio Sports Hall, a space dedicated to passion, perseverance and sporting excellence!
Source: Portuguese Judo Federation
Images: Binóculos Filmes
Author: EJU Media