A Groundbreaking Step for Ne-waza in European Judo

EUSA President Haris Pavletic has welcomed the inaugural standalone Ne-waza European Championships in Riga as an important development for Judo. His visit also highlighted the long-running relationship between the European University Sports Association and the European Judo Union.

For Pavletic, Ne-waza’s arrival as its own European championship discipline is more than a one-weekend milestone. The ground-fighting format, built around hold-downs, pins and submissions, could also have a future within European university sport.

He said EUSA hopes to introduce Ne-waza at its annual European University Championships in the future. With many competitors at the event being of university age, the discipline could become another connection point between high-level Judo and student sport.

Ne-waza’s standalone European championship debut opens a fresh path for university Judo.

Pavletic’s trip was not only about watching the competition. EUSA and the EJU began discussions the day before the event about possible new areas of cooperation, with the aim of developing ideas that could lead to a new memorandum of understanding.

The EJU remains one of EUSA’s key combat-sports partners and one of its oldest. Pavletic stressed that both organisations are looking for opportunities to deepen that connection through future projects.

Dual careers were also central to his message. EUSA wants to support top athletes in combining sporting ambition with academic development, helping them prepare for life after their professional careers in sport.

Riga added a positive setting to the occasion. Pavletic, who had visited the Latvian capital previously, said he was pleased to return and praised the city’s organisation, cleanliness and vibrant atmosphere.

The first standalone Ne-waza European Championships have created a notable moment for the discipline. For EUSA and the EJU, they may also mark the beginning of a new phase of collaboration around Judo, education and athlete development.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union