Radom’s big kata statement: Europe tunes up for Sarajevo with record turnout

Radom delivered more than just clean lines and crisp timing in 2026—it delivered proof that kata judo in Europe is expanding fast. The European Kata Tournament welcomed a record field, with more than 150 athletes from 13 nations competing across cadet, junior and senior divisions. For an event built on detail and discipline, that kind of growth feels like a loud message.

The last European kata stop before Sarajevo came with real pressure.

With the European Judo Championships Kata Sarajevo 2026 next on the calendar, Radom became a crucial checkpoint. Across the day, pairs were judged on accuracy, synchronisation and composure, and the general standard stayed impressively high from start to finish.

Poland gave the home crowd a moment to remember in the cadet Katame-no-Kata. Michał Śmieja and Antonina Sypniewska performed with control and confidence to take gold, then spoke about the satisfaction of seeing their hard work pay off. They also highlighted the role of their coaches and the value of training sessions that included world champion Tycho van der Werff.

Hungary topped the junior Nage-no-Kata category thanks to Tapolcsanyi Dorottya and Hudanik Peter. Their win came even though they felt they had made errors—Hudanik admitted he expected too many points to be lost. What mattered in the end was staying connected as a pair, and he pointed to complete trust, especially when recovering after a mistake.

In the senior competition, Italy produced a standout story in Itsutsu-no-Kata. Maurizio Calderini and Barbara Meconi won gold in what was their first time performing the discipline in competition. Calderini described the key as keeping calm and fluid while expressing every moment clearly.

Beyond medals, Radom reinforced the strength of Europe’s development pathway, with cadet and junior categories showing a promising new generation. The continued presence of Adapted Kata (1B category) in Nage-no-Kata underlined the EJU’s inclusivity drive. Operationally, the tournament ran smoothly, supported by cooperation between the EJU Kata Commission and officials, plus a judges’ seminar and licence examinations.

EJU Head Kata Commissioner Dr Slavisa Bradic noted the jump in turnout and praised the quality and motivation of young competitors. Now, with Radom complete, Europe’s kata community turns its focus to final club-level preparations before reconvening in Sarajevo on 16–17 May.

Source: EJU_News