Tbilisi sets the tone as European judo returns to Georgia after 17 years

Tbilisi is back at the heart of European judo. The 2026 Senior European Judo Championships were officially opened in the Georgian capital, bringing the continent’s top event back to the country for the first time in 17 years.

The opening ceremony at the Olympic Sport Palace was about more than protocol. It mixed elite sport with a strong sense of national culture, led by performances from the Erisioni ensemble, including “Rhythms of Georgia” and the powerful “Khorumi”. Before a single contest had begun, the message was already clear: in Georgia, judo carries deep meaning.

Several key figures addressed the crowd, among them Georgia’s Sport Minister Shalva Gogoladze, EJU President Dr Tóth László and Georgian Judo Federation President Levan Nozadze. Their speeches pointed to the same idea from different angles: hosting these Championships matters not only for Georgia, but for European judo as a whole.

Georgia’s place in the sport was a major theme. Gogoladze highlighted the country’s achievements on the international stage and also drew attention to the growth of women’s judo, describing it as important for the sport’s future at home. Nozadze stressed how special it is for local supporters to see world-class athletes competing in front of them.

This was more than an opening ceremony for Tbilisi.

There was also a clear European dimension. With 46 nations represented, the Championships bring together one of the deepest fields on the calendar. Dr Tóth praised Georgia’s standing in European judo and said the level of competition is exceptional, even beyond continental standards.

The ceremony ended with commemorative plaques for key contributors, followed by the Georgian national anthem. Now the formalities are over, and Tbilisi becomes the stage for four days where tradition, ambition and top-level judo meet.

Source: EJU_News