CADET EUROPEAN JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS: A SUCCESS STORY

After the success of the 2007 European Championships hosted in Malta by the Malta Judo Federation, another success was achieved recently when the Federation hosted the Cadet European Judo Championships at the Cottonera Sports Complex. The venue given free was part of the assistance extended by the Malta Sports Council to the Malta Federation.
Volunteers helping in the organisation experienced sleepless nights, surprises, pride, focus, frustration, exhilaration and other feelings. The championships attracted around 600 delegates from 40 countries.

It was a massive event, but the result was a well organised championhips for which the President of the European Judo Union, Sergey Soloveychik said: 'We are satisfied that not only bigger organisations but also smaller ones are able to organise championhips like these. It shows the development of the EJU and its federations. Malta organised a good level championships. This is a difficult period as we are one year away from the London Olympic Games and a lot of money flows into the ultimate performances to qualify and perform at the Olympic Games. However, there were promising talents and I hope they will bring us good European results in the future at international events. This generation may be able to shine at the Olympics of 2016 in Rio de Janiero'.

Besides the competition Malta hosted high profile coaches and former athletes such as the 1991 World Champion Daniel Lascau from Germany who is also the European Judo Union Vice President for sport; the 2001 World Championship runner up Sara Alvarez of Spain; the 2002 European medallist Amina Abdellatif of France; the 2005 World and European Champion Akos Braun of Hungary and two Italian Judokas who also competed in the year's Malta Open and at the European Championhips, one of them, Stangherlin Georgia placed 5th.

The Malta Judo Federation managed to stage an amazing event with the European Judo Union IT and Live Streaming Team said it was perfect, even better than some Championships and rand Slams in much bigger countries. Words of praise and thanks to the organizers came from all quarters, including some of the best referees convoked by the European Union.

These champinships served also as a promotion for our country. Most delegates expressed their wish to come back not only for Judo but also on holiday to enjoy our great hospitality. Most of them wished that they could extend their stay.
After the championships, the Judo Federation did not stop there. They hosted the European Judo Union calendar meeting and medical seminar.

Athletes Marcon Bezzina and Joanna Camilleri will be flying to Rome to start their Masters in Teaching and Coaching at the Tor Vergata Univeristy.