Dubrovnik turns into a European judo hotspot as Senior Cup 2026 draws 359 entries

Dubrovnik doesn’t need an extra reason to be crowded, but judo has a way of turning a beautiful city into a serious battleground. On 28–29 March, the European Senior Cup 2026 lands in the “Gospino Polje” hall, bringing 359 judoka from 33 countries for two days where every win matters for European Cup ranking points.

Two days, one tatami stage, and a lot of careers looking for momentum.

Croatia has been on a roll with major events, moving from the cadet showcase in Poreč straight into senior action in Dubrovnik. According to Mateo Semiz of the Croatian Judo Federation, the pull is clear: strong conditions for athletes, coaches and referees, and an environment designed to keep everyone focused but comfortable.

For the home crowd, the headline is Iva Oberan (-63kg). The world number three arrives after taking a Grand Slam bronze medal in Georgia, and Semiz points to a key detail that matters at the top level: she’s growing calmer under pressure. With her power and instincts, that added composure could be the difference in tight contests.

The local support will be loud and deep, with 62 Croatian judoka entered. Türkiye (39) and Hungary (31) bring the next biggest squads, underlining how European-heavy and competitive the weekend will be. One European name to watch is Hungary’s Szegedi Daniel (-73kg), a 2024 European U23 Championships silver medallist who also placed fifth at the 2025 Senior European Championships.

There’s plenty more experience and emerging talent in the mix: Dominik Družeta (-90kg), a 2017 European bronze medallist; Robert Klačar (-73kg), bronze medallist at the 2024 Zagreb Grand Prix; EYOF 2023 champion Jana Cvjetko (-70kg); and Dubrovnik’s own Petrunjela Pavić (-78kg). Italy’s Giacomo Gamba (-90kg) is also on the entry list.

For fans who can’t make it into Gospino Polje, the event will be streamed live on JudoTV—so the clashes, the comebacks, and the medal pushes won’t be missed.

Source: EJU_News