Split hosted the 2026 European Judo Hopes Tournament on 12 and 13 September, with 468 young judoka from 20 countries competing across four tatami at the Gripe venue. The European Judo Union said the entrants came from 104 clubs, comprising 277 boys and 191 girls, all in the U14 and U16 age categories.
Competition began at 09:00 with the U14 preliminary rounds, and the first medals were awarded that afternoon. The U16 judoka took to the tatami at 12:30, with their finals scheduled for 16:35 followed by the medal ceremony.
One feature of this year's tournament took place only a few metres from the competition area. Throughout the weekend, young judoka trained with experts from the Kodokan in Japan, and worked with Rio 2016 Olympic champion Mashu Baker and London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Czernoviczki Eva.
The European Judo Union described that combination of competition and education as what distinguishes the Hopes Tournament from a traditional event. Once their contests are over, the young athletes leave with more than a result.
The official opening ceremony took place at 10:50 and was attended by Ivo Bilić, Deputy Mayor of Split; Stipe Čogelja, Deputy Prefect of Split-Dalmatia County; Ivana Vladović, Director of the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board; and Željko Primorac of the Croatian Judo Federation.
Ivo Bilić said he had spent his entire career working with young people, and was delighted to see the Gripe venue packed with nearly 500 young athletes from 20 countries. Some would win medals that day and others would not, he said, but the experience would stay with them for a long time.
The tournament carries particular significance for the local judo community. Twenty-five of the 32 members of the Croatian national judo team come from Split-Dalmatia County, which is home to more than 14 active clubs.
The arrival of hundreds of young athletes with their coaches and families also gave the tournament a wider significance for Split and the surrounding region. For many visitors, it was their first introduction to the city. The programme continued on Sunday, 13 September.
Sources
European Judo Union, 12 September 2026：