Two judoka in blue and white judogi grapple during a throw on a yellow and red tatami, with spectators behind them.

Europe’s Veteran Judo Depth Stands Out in Sarajevo

European judoka made a powerful collective mark at the Veteran World Championships in Sarajevo, with medals reaching far beyond the biggest national teams. France finished first in the overall medal table, collecting 15 gold, 19 silver and 36 bronze medals.

Georgia placed second with 9 gold, 13 silver and 17 bronze, while Brazil took third after winning 9 gold, 4 silver and 9 bronze. The figures underlined the scale of France’s performance, but also showed how competitive the European field was throughout the championships.

In all, athletes from 33 European nations earned at least one medal. Ireland, Finland, Montenegro, Norway and San Marino were among the countries to celebrate podium finishes, adding to a broad spread of success across the continent.

That range of medal-winning nations offered a strong picture of veteran Judo in Europe. Success was not limited to the countries with the largest programmes, with judoka from nations at different stages of development all finding their way onto the podium.

Familiar names from elite Judo also returned to the tatami. Nestor Khergiani of Georgia, the Athens 2004 Olympic silver medallist, competed alongside Bulgaria’s Georgi Georgiev, who won Olympic bronze at the same Games.

Georgia’s Adam Okruashvili delivered one of the standout comeback stories. A two-time Olympian at London 2012 and Rio 2016, he had not competed internationally since the Tashkent Grand Slam in 2021.

Okruashvili had already built an accomplished elite career, with World and European Championship medals as well as numerous results on the IJF World Judo Tour. On his first appearance at the Veteran World Championships, he claimed the M3/+100kg world title.

Thirty-three European nations left Sarajevo with at least one medal.

Sarajevo therefore produced more than a medal-table battle. It brought experienced Olympic names back into competition and highlighted the wide reach of European veteran Judo.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union

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