Why Poreč Keeps Pulling Judo’s Biggest Names Back Every June

Poreč is once again at the center of the judo world this June as JudoFest brings top athletes, young talents and national teams together in Croatia. The biggest draw remains the European Judo Union’s Olympic Training Camp and Cadet Training Camp, both held at the Intersport Hall in the Green Lagoon.

In 2026, those two camps have reached major numbers. The senior Olympic Training Camp welcomed more than 600 athletes from over 40 nations, while the Cadet Training Camp gathered around 200 under-18 judoka. From 8 to 13 June, the tatami has turned into a packed meeting point for high-level randori, shared learning and the kind of hard work that shapes the season.

For many in judo, this return to Poreč has become a fixed part of the calendar. Athletes, coaches and delegations know what awaits them: strong training conditions, a focused environment and a setting that helps recovery after intense sessions. That combination is a big part of why the event continues to grow.

Barbara Đinović, an Olympic Champion, is still closely involved in the activities of the Croatian Judo Federation and said the level in camp is exactly what athletes need to improve. Her connection to this event runs deep, because she also built part of her international career through this very Olympic Training Camp.

Poreč is not just hosting judo, it is shaping it.

There is also a strong European angle in this year’s camp. Two-time Olympic Champion Lukáš Krpálek has returned once more, praising both the training setup and the atmosphere around it. He described the conditions as fantastic, with hotels only steps away and the sea close by after practice, adding that it is especially meaningful to come with his family.

The list of athletes in attendance shows just how strong the field is. The Georgian team arrived with a leading squad that includes Olympic Champion Lasha Shavdatuashvili, three-time World Champion Tato Grigalashvili and two-time World Champion Eteri Liparteliani. Also present are world number one at -70 kg Lara Cvjetko, world leader at -78 kg Anna Monta Olek, Paris Olympic silver medallist at -63 kg Prisca Awiti Alcaraz and two-time World Champion Jorge Fonseca.

Croatia’s own presence is huge. More than 50 Croatian athletes are taking part in the OTC, and around 40 Croatian cadets are involved in the youth training camp. The national coaching group includes Dean Ilić, Dragan Crnov and Matija Frlić, supported by around ten national team coaches overseeing the work.

JudoFest continues beyond the two main camps. From 14 to 18 June, the programme adds U14 and U16 training led by former World and European Champion Braun Ákos, alongside inclusive judo, a kata seminar with instructors from the Kodokan in Japan and a family training camp for parents and children up to age 10.

With another 300 participants expected in those activities, total attendance at JudoFest is set to reach 1,100. That number says a lot, but the feeling around the event may say even more: Poreč has become one of the places the judo community genuinely wants to return to.

More than 40 nations are sharing one tatami in Croatia this month.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union