He did it again: It was the next historic success for Azerbaijan’s judo scene. Hidayat HEYDAROV (-73), world number one, won the European Championship final in Zagreb against Danil LAVRENTEV after 6:06 minutes in a golden score with ippon after disqualification and celebrated his fourth European Championship title. “Winning is fun. It was a very good day today,” grinned the 26-year-old. Heydarov won his first European Championship title in Warsaw in 2017. European title number four in Zagreb was the Azeri’s second success after his Grand Slam triumph in Baku in 2024. More victories are to foll ..read more

The DJ played her favourite song, Barbie Girl by Aqua, and the hall went wild. In the stands the Matic family (parents, sister Brigita) were in each other’s arms. Down below, the newly crowned European champion and local hero Barbara MATIC clapped her hands with the fans. The 29-year-old then gave her first winner interviews. After three European Championship bronze medals, that was a gold medal with an announcement – and in front of a home crowd to boot, how does that feel? Barbara Matic: “I’m extremely relieved and happy. The crowd carried me to success in the final. I wanted this gold for t ..read more

Excitement only grew on the second day of the Senior European Judo Championships 2024, with a guaranteed two medals for the home team, delegations, spectators and the kids camp were ready to celebrate as the final block commenced, deciding who would become European Champion at -63kg, -70kg and -81kg, and to see whether or not the -73kg could be defended. First up were the -63kg women, with Katarina KRISTO (CRO) bringing the crowds to their feet as she challenged Savita RUSSO (ITA) for the first bronze medal. The pair went in to golden score with Russo ceding two shidos, and at one point the cr ..read more

Croatia seems to suit her: Renata ZACHOVA (CZE/-63) became European Junior Champion in Porec in 2020. Now, four years later, the 23-year-old Czech, ranked just 22nd in the world, has been crowned surprise European champion. “I never thought, that I would be here today and win gold. I just knew that I was in good shape. We last trained in Tata and my coach just said: ‘Make sure you show your usual judo. Just like last time in Tata…” On her way to the final, Renata Zachova eliminated Alessia Corrao (BEL), Magdalena Krssakova (AUT), Savita Russo (ITA) and defending champion Andreja Leski (SLO ..read more

The -63kg category was the only one that didn’t see the top seed head in to the semi final rounds, instead, Renata ZACHOVA (CZE) won that quarter to face defending European Champion Andreja LESKI (SLO) for a place in the final. Zachova was swinging through the category today, and continued the momentum against Leski, eventually earning herself a waza ari in osae komi, which was enough to send her in to the final as Leski simply couldn’t pull it back. It’ll be a third European final for Zachova, however her previous were at junior and U23 level. Renata ZACHOVA (CZE) © Carlos Ferreira On the oth ..read more

Most of the continental championships are taking place this week and with that qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics Games is also a constant talking point. However, on the opening day of the European Judo Championships Seniors Zagreb 2024 we have also witnessed significant personal developments. The -66kg category had the total of 29 entries and according to previous results, if we were to make a prediction of the podium line-up, Pongracz Bence would have less likely to be amongst. The 24-year-old Hungarian judoka fast contradicted. Actually, the target was to be in the top 5 and I tell yo ..read more

While the second competition day of the European Judo Championships Seniors was taking place in the Zagreb Arena, a high-calibre conference on the topic of “Children in Sport – Champions in Life” was held at the Westin Hotel on the initiative of the European Judo Union and the Croatian Ministry of Tourism and Sport. Minister of Sport and Tourism Nikolina BRNJAC and EJU President László TOTH acted as co-hosts. Other panellists included IJF President Mariusz VIZER, Kosovo Sports Minister Hajrula CEKU, IOC member Kolinda GRABAR-KITAROVIC and former Olympic water polo champion coach Ratko RUDIC ..read more

While most eyes are on the Senior European Judo Championships in Zagreb, the cadets are stealing some focus in the Telavi Cadet European Cup. There will be 209 young contenders from 14 nations, many of whom are fighting for the host nation, however we have many from further afield including Kyrgyzstan and India as well as small nations like Greece. Of course the Georgian team will have extra motivation on home soil and support from friends and family, there are some true talents rising through the ranks including Cadet World silver medallist, Tsotne BAKHTADZE in the -73kg category. In the +90k ..read more

Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Minister of Tourism and Sports, will be funding this year a total of 15 million euros for 25 major international sports competition and 84 infrastructure projects. “Since the beginning of its mandate, this government has paid special attention to sports, and this has been seen in concrete support, from the increase in investment, which has quadrupled in eight years, to the strategic and legislative framework and a number of new activities that we have initiated”, emphasized the Minister. “Through this systematic investment, we want to provide optimal conditions for pr ..read more

1,538 days or 220 weeks have passed since Daria BILODID (UKR) stood at the top of the international stage with a gold medal around her neck. Back then, she won the Grand Slam in Paris in front of a full house in the Bercy Arena. In the meantime, she has moved up two weight classes – from -48 kg directly to the -57 kg category – and has just managed a victory at the lower-ranking Senior Cup in Riga. As number 14 in the IJF world rankings, she travelled this week to the European Judo Championships in Zagreb. “I finally have a major title again after four long years,” emphasised the 23-year-old ..read more