Beyond the Judogi: European stars show why support matters in judo

In the days after the Senior European Judo Championships 2026 in Tbilisi, the spotlight shifted away from the contest itself. At the adidas Double D photoshoot, several of Europe’s leading judoka spoke about the kind of support that shapes a career long before and long after medals are won.

The event also highlighted the growing link between the European Judo Union and adidas Double D. Sponsorship Manager Palma Ferracci explained that judo holds a major place for the brand in Europe. Just as importantly, she presented the relationship as something rooted in genuine understanding of the sport rather than simple visibility.

According to Ferracci, working with the EJU has become a natural process. She pointed to the value of combining resources and experience, especially at events where athlete access is not always easy, even for sponsors. In Tbilisi, that cooperation helped turn a media activity into something more personal.

Sometimes the biggest judo stories happen away from the tatami.

The strongest moments came from the athletes themselves, with Georgian names standing out after a major European week on home soil. Ilia Sulamanidze said his bond with adidas Double D is based on shared values, describing himself as a maximalist who wants to do everything to the fullest. He also stressed that campaigns and support projects can inspire younger judoka and help them grow.

Tato Grigalashvili brought the most emotional perspective. The world and European champion said wearing a global brand gives him confidence and pride, especially considering where he started. He recalled that for his first European Championships, both at cadet and senior level, he had to borrow a judogi.

That memory gave extra weight to his next point. Once that support arrived, he no longer had to worry about equipment and could focus fully on judo. He also described the relationship with the adidas team in family terms, showing that trust matters as much as material backing.

Giorgi Sardalashvili told a similar story. Joining adidas Double D in 2023 was not only practical support in the early phase of his senior career, but also a sign that the company believed in his potential.

Taken together, these voices offered a clear reminder. In European judo, success is not built on talent alone. Stability, trust and the right support can change the direction of an athlete’s journey.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union