European Judo Union

In 1951 Judo administrators from Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands and Switzerland gathered to form the European Judo Union (EJU). When EJU leaders met in London, Austria joined the organisation as well. Inclusion of judo in the Olympic Games was first mentioned in this meeting. Young French publisher Henry D. Plee suggested that he print a translation of the Kodokan’s monthly magazine in English and French; the EJU agreed to make it an official organ of the EJU.

The EJU consists of 51 national Judo federations/associations, and is itself recognised by the IJF as one of five continental unions. The organisation of the administration of Judo is based on a pyramid system of regulations, with the IJF the world governing body, the EJU the European governing body and national Judo associations the governing bodies at domestic level.

Major European judo stars

Women

• Yael Arad, Israel, U61kg, 1993 European Champion
• Alina Dumitru, Romania, U48kg, 2008 Olympic Champion, 2012 runner-up
• Natalia Kuzyutina, Russia, U52kg, 2013 European Champion
• Telma Monteiro, Portugal, U57kg, triple vice-world champion
• Yarden Gerbi, Israel, U63kg, 2013 World Champion
• Kim Polling, Netherlands, U70kg, 2013 European Champion
• Abigél Joó, Hungary, U78kg, 2012 European Champion

Men

• Arsen Galstyan, Russia, U60kg, 2012 Olympic Champion
• Lasha Shavdatuashvili, Georgia, U66kg, 2012 Olympic Champion
• Mansur Isaev, Russia, U73kg, 2012 Olympic Champion
• Avtandil Tchrikishvili, Georgia, U81kg, 2014 World Champion
• Ilias Iliadis, Greece, U90kg, 2011 World Champion
• Tagir Khaibulaev, Russia, U100kg, 2012 Olympic Champion
• Teddy Riner, France, +100 kg, 2012 Olympic Champion, 2013 World Champion

Most successful European female judoka

• Alina Dumitru, Romania, 8 European titles
• Edith Horvath, Austria, 8
• Angelique Seriese, Netherlands, 8
• Ulla Werbrouck, Belgium, 7
• Gella Vandecaveye, Belgium, 7
• Isabel Fernandez, Spain, 6

Most successful European male judoka

• Anton Geesink, 21 European titles
• Willem Ruska, Netherlands, 7
• Tamerlan Tmenov, Russia, 7
• Mark Huizinga, Netherlands, 5
• Alexander Mikhailin, Russia, 5
• Neil Adams, Great Britain, 5
• Jean De Herdt, France, 5

Presidents of the EJU

• Jaap Nauwelaerts D'Agé, Netherlands, 1952–1957
• H. Frantzen, Germany, 1957–1960
• A.J. Ertel, France, 1960–1984
• Kurt Kucera, Austria, 1984–1996
• Frans Hoogendijk, Netherlands, 1996–2000
• Marius Vizer, Austria,^[1] 2000–2007
• Sergey Soloveychik, Russia, 2007–present

References

External links

• EJU Official website
• International Judo Federation