Gran Canaria Cadet Euros Show Europe’s Judo Depth, Says Catarina Rodrigues

Catarina Rodrigues looked back on the Millennium Team European Judo Championships Cadets Gran Canaria 2026 with a clear message: the event showed both the quality of Europe’s young judoka and the strength of the pathway developing them. Speaking after four days of competition, the European Judo Union Vice President for the Sport Sector pointed to a championship that delivered strong numbers, high standards and a wide spread of success.

Before the event, Gran Canaria brought some obvious questions. A cadet-level continental championship on an island meant teams had to fly, while many usually travel to European Cups by road. That created concern around logistics, athlete comfort and, above all, participation.

In the end, those doubts faded quickly. Rodrigues said the venue had already looked strong during a preparation visit in December after the EJU Congress. There were some challenges around warm-up space, but the use of three separate areas helped teams settle in comfortably.

Accommodation was another important test, especially in the busy summer period. According to Rodrigues, organisers had to use more hotels than usual, yet the solution worked well. With most hotels within walking distance, the overall setup helped create a practical environment for athletes and delegations.

The biggest question mark was whether the travel demands would reduce the size of the field. Instead, participation stayed strong. Rodrigues admitted she had personal concerns beforehand, but those disappeared once the numbers were confirmed.

A total of 43 nations took part in Gran Canaria. That figure mattered not only for this championship, but also as part of a bigger trend across the Cadet Tour, where participation has remained consistently high this year. In Rodrigues’ view, that regular competition is helping athletes arrive at the European Championships better prepared, and the standard of judo in Gran Canaria backed that up.

Strong participation turned a possible concern into one of the event’s best signs.

What stood out most was how widely success was shared. Eleven different nations won European titles, while 26 countries reached the final block. In total, 21 nations left with at least one medal.

Those numbers tell an important story about cadet judo in Europe. Rather than one or two countries dominating everything, Gran Canaria showed a competitive field with real depth. The results were technically impressive, but also unpredictable, which made the championship feel even more alive.

Rodrigues linked that balance directly to the role of the Cadet Tour. She described it as a very important instrument for national federations, especially because events are organised across different regions. That approach gives more athletes the chance to compete at a high level and helps build a broader, stronger base for the future.

Eleven nations took gold, a clear sign of how open cadet judo in Europe has become.

The reflection from Gran Canaria was not only about medals. For Rodrigues, the event underlined something bigger about development in European judo: progress is measured by preparation, access and long-term growth as much as by podium finishes. After four days in Gran Canaria, the picture looked encouraging.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union