How Italy’s Kata System Keeps Raising the Bar Before Sarajevo 2026

Italy’s strength in kata did not appear overnight, and Cesare Amorosi’s view of it makes that clear. Ahead of the 2026 European Kata Championships in Sarajevo, the Italian leader described a programme built on trust, discipline and steady evolution rather than quick fixes.

Italy also arrives with recent proof of its level. The team finished top of the medal table at the 2025 European Kata Championships in Riga, setting a high standard to defend next time out.

For Amorosi, kata starts in the mind before it shows in the body. His core idea is simple but demanding: if the mind is right, movement becomes smoother and techniques can flow with the correct feeling. In his view, strong kata pairs are not only technically precise, but also connected by trust, shared goals and the willingness to adapt to each other.

For Amorosi, kata begins long before the first movement.

That emphasis on harmony is matched by a broad coaching philosophy. Amorosi said his job is to help athletes become better than they were before, through a process based on mutual trust and honest feedback. He also stressed that he does not see major differences between working with kata athletes and adapted judoka, because every athlete and every pair brings different needs, characteristics and goals.

His current role as President of the National Kata and Masters Commission covers a wide field. He is responsible for the annual national kata competition programme, the training pathway for technicians and referees, and, together with his collaborators, the preparation of athletes in the Italian National Kata Team.

One of the most interesting parts of Italy’s model is how it tries to keep opportunity open while pushing standards higher. Amorosi explained that Italy introduced a national competition circuit that produces a Ranking List for each kata. That list also includes selected international events such as the EJU Kata Tournament and the IJF Kata World Series, and the national team is formed by the pairs ranked at the top as the standings update through the season.

According to Amorosi, that objective route has created enthusiasm because athletes know they all begin with the same chance to qualify for European and World Championships. At the same time, the country’s established pairs are pushed to keep improving so they are not overtaken.

There is also a clear generational angle behind Italy’s consistency. Amorosi said he believed kata should not be seen only as a field for older, highly experienced judoka. In Italy, juniors, cadets and seniors under 35 are now active in competition, which helps spread kata knowledge more widely and raises the overall level.

Physical preparation matters too, even in a discipline some people still underestimate. Amorosi noted that kata demands a strong technical base and solid randori experience, and he highlighted specific athletic training programmes developed for kata athletes in the roles of tori and uke. These programmes are aimed at preventing injuries linked to repeated technical movement over time and at improving performance.

Precision matters, but so does the emotional control behind it.

He also pushed back against the idea that kata is somehow simpler because there is no contest. In his words, kata competition brings serious mental effort: chasing perfection without turning it into obsession, accepting referees’ decisions, and dealing with the limits of both yourself and your partner.

Looking ahead to Sarajevo, Amorosi knows repeating Riga will be difficult. Italy can only match its 2025 medal total at the European Championships, not improve on being the top team there. Still, his focus goes beyond medals. For him, success will also mean creating a positive atmosphere of growth, respect and constant learning around the athletes, partners and coaches involved.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union