Amid the energy and excitement of the 2025 Senior European Judo Championships in Podgorica, the European Judo Union hosted its annual Gala Dinner, celebrating the finest achievements across the continent. Bringing together the sport’s leading figures, the event was attended by Marius Vizer, President of the International Judo Federation, László Tóth, President of the European Judo Union and IJF Vice-President, and Jovica Recevic, President of the Montenegrin Judo Federation.
The evening began with warm speeches from the distinguished guests before turning to the highly anticipated awards ceremony. In a fitting tribute to the host nation’s efforts, the Croatian Judo Federation was presented with the Best European Event award for their flawless organisation of the championships in Zagreb. The competition was widely praised for its vibrant atmosphere, outstanding crowd support, and world-class standards.
Estonia’s growing reputation within the judo community was also recognised, as the National Judo Federation of Estonia received the Best Organiser award. Their consistent commitment to hosting world-ranking events and developmental tournaments has positioned Estonia as a model of professionalism and vision in European judo.
Among the individual honours, Croatia’s Barbara Matić stole the spotlight, winning the Best Female Judoka award. A two-time world champion, Matić captured her first European title in 2024 in front of an emotional home audience, further crowning a year that also saw her claim Olympic gold in the -70kg category. Her performances have made her not only a national hero but also one of the sport’s defining figures.
Dr Toth Laszlo President of EJU and Hidayat Heydarov- PIC: EJU
Azerbaijan’s Hidayat Heydarov was named Best Male Judoka after a remarkable season in which he secured European, World, and Olympic titles. Having risen through the ranks since his junior years, Heydarov’s journey reached its peak in 2024, marking him as one of the most dominant forces on the world stage.
The future of European judo was also in the spotlight. Austria’s Elena Dengg and France’s Melkia Auchecorne were jointly awarded Best European Junior Female Judoka. Dengg claimed titles at both the Junior World Championships and the U23 European Championships, while Auchecorne captured the Junior World title and a European bronze medal. Georgia’s Luka Javakhishvili took home the Best European Junior Male Judoka award after an outstanding performance that saw him claim the Junior World Championship in the -90kg category.
Coaching excellence was recognised with awards for Italy’s Francesco Bruyere and Azerbaijan’s Richard Trautmann. Bruyere led the Italian women’s team to a series of major triumphs, including Olympic and World titles for stars such as Alice Bellandi and Odette Giuffrida. Meanwhile, Trautmann guided Azerbaijan to two World and two Olympic titles in 2024, cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s most effective and respected coaches.
Gala Dinner 2025 – PIC:EJU
Spanish referee Raul Camacho was honoured for his contribution to officiating, receiving the Best European Male Referee award. His leadership and commitment to maintaining the highest standards were recognised as a key part of judo’s continued growth.
One of the most emotional moments of the evening came with the announcement of Team France as Best European Mixed Team. After their historic win at the Tokyo Olympics, they successfully defended their title on home soil in Paris, overcoming fierce rivals Japan once again to underline their dominance.
The evening concluded with special recognitions from the EJU Bureau. Aleksandar Damjanovic, former Minister of Finance of Montenegro, current Minister Novica Vukovic, and Jovica Recevic, President of the Montenegro Judo Federation, were honoured for their significant contributions to the development and support of judo in their region.
As celebrations drew to a close, the message from Montenegro was unmistakable: European judo is thriving, driven by talent, dedication, and a deep-rooted spirit of excellence that promises even greater achievements in the years to come.
