Sarajevo set for a weekend of precision at the 2026 European Kata Championships

Sarajevo is getting ready to host one of the most technical events on the continental judo calendar. On 16 and 17 May 2026, the European Judo Championships Kata will bring together leading European specialists from senior, junior and cadet levels for two days built on control, rhythm and deep knowledge of the sport.

Kata offers a very different kind of tension from regular contest judo. Instead of fighting for a score, two partners work in harmony, with tori applying the techniques and uke receiving them in a cooperative and controlled way. The goal is not chaos or pressure, but clarity, timing and ideal execution.

The senior competition will cover seven recognised kata: Nage-no-Kata, Katame-no-Kata, Ju-no-Kata, Kime-no-Kata, Kodokan Goshin-Jutsu, Koshiki-no-Kata and Itsutsu-no-Kata. That wide programme gives Europe’s top pairs a major stage to present both the traditional and technical depth of judo.

Juniors will compete in three core categories, Nage-no-Kata, Katame-no-Kata and Ju-no-Kata. Cadets will also perform in those three areas, with a simplified Nage-no-Kata structure based on Te Waza, Koshi Waza and Ashi Waza. For Europe’s younger athletes, this is more than a championship start list; it is a chance to show how strong their fundamentals already are.

In kata, every detail matters and every movement has a purpose.

The venue is Hotel Hills in Sarajevo. The draw for the preliminary rounds is scheduled for Friday, 15 May at 18:30. Saturday begins with preliminaries in Nage-no-Kata, Katame-no-Kata, Ju-no-Kata, Kime-no-Kata and Kodokan Goshin-Jutsu, followed by an ENBU Judo demonstration and the finals in those same kata.

Sunday continues with preliminaries and finals in Nage-no-Kata, Katame-no-Kata, Ju-no-Kata, Koshiki-no-Kata and Itsutsu-no-Kata. The day will also include the Opening Ceremony and an Adapted Judo Kata competition. Fans who want to follow the full event can watch on JudoTV.com.

The selected judges underline the European character of the championship, with officials listed from countries including Germany, Finland, Austria, Slovenia, Spain, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Sweden and Hungary. Before the first bow even begins, the event already reflects the reach of kata across Europe.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union