Benidorm Sets the Pace as Europe’s Judo Elite Build Toward 2026

The Benidorm Olympic Training Camp 2026 brought together the heart of high-level judo in one place. On the European calendar, it once again showed why this camp has become such an important stop for athletes and coaches preparing for the months ahead.

More than 1,000 members of delegations gathered for a week built around hard sessions, shared experience and international exchange. Judoka, coaches, physiotherapists and support staff worked in an environment designed not only for performance, but also for recovery, a balance that can make a real difference during a demanding Olympic cycle.

What stood out was not just the number of people in attendance, but the level inside the dojo. Olympic, world and European champions trained alongside rising talents, creating exactly the kind of atmosphere athletes look for when they want to test themselves against strong opposition.

Olympic champion Arsen Galstyan of Russia, attending as a coach, underlined that point. He said the larger number of top athletes this year made the camp especially valuable, giving judoka the chance to face strong opponents and gain experience that can help lead to better results later on.

He also pointed to the international character of the camp as one of its biggest strengths. With many countries present and leading figures from the judo world on site, Benidorm felt less like a routine training block and more like a meeting point for the sport at a very high level.

France coach Jane Bridge highlighted another key reason this edition left such a strong impression. For her, the biggest improvement was logistical: the dojo was located at the hotel, making daily movement between accommodation and training much easier.

That detail may sound small from the outside, but in elite sport it matters. Bridge described the setup as a pleasant surprise, with only a short walk separating the team from training. In a camp where energy must be managed carefully, convenience becomes part of performance.

In Benidorm, preparation was not only intense, but smart.

Israel Head Coach Shany Hershko placed this year’s camp in a bigger story. Having followed the event since its earlier years in Castelldefels, he described a long-standing formula of high-level judo, strong training partners and a great environment, which is why teams keep returning.

For Hershko, the 2026 edition went even further. He praised the facilities, the hotel and the short distance to training, while also stressing the timing. With Olympic qualification getting closer, this stage of preparation carries extra weight, and training against some of the best athletes in Europe and the world offers a meaningful first step in that journey.

That may be the clearest message from Benidorm. Camps like this are not only about getting through sessions. They are about building momentum, measuring progress and creating the right conditions for athletes to raise each other’s level.

As the intensity of the Olympic cycle grows, Benidorm has strengthened its place as a key base for international judo preparation. The next opportunity for the world judo elite to train together will come at the Poreč OTC from 8 to 13 June 2026.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union