Lommel turned into a judo family: 278 young athletes, one shared tatami spirit

From 13–15 March 2026, the usually quiet Sportpark De Soeverein in Lommel, Belgium, switched into full judo mode. Tatami lined the hall, and the soundscape was pure camp life: feet sliding, coaches calling, kids laughing between rounds. Organised by the Ilse Heylen Judo Academy in partnership with the European Judo Union, the three-day camp welcomed 278 judoka from five nations—an atmosphere built on learning, testing limits, and meeting new training partners.

Three days in Lommel showed how fast judo can turn strangers into a team.

The event wasn’t only about drills and randori. It also highlighted how judo grows through families and clubs. Koen Vande Casteele from Leuven Judo Club is a perfect example of that journey. His connection to judo began through his children, not his own background. For two years he watched from the side, then a simple push from within the club convinced him to step onto the tatami himself—changing the way he understood what his kids were doing in training and competition.

Judo now runs through the Vande Casteele household, with all three sons involved in the sport in different ways. For Koen, the attraction goes beyond results. He points to discipline, the confidence that comes from learning a combat sport, and the friendships that form naturally around regular training. Those bonds don’t stop with the kids either: parents build their own network, travelling together and supporting the club’s young athletes through weekends like this.

On the performance side, the camp delivered what young judoka often crave most: quality sessions and the chance to spar with many different opponents from other countries. That variety—different grips, rhythms, and reactions—creates learning moments you can’t copy at home. Participants also benefited from smooth logistics, with accommodation close to the hall and meals arranged, keeping the focus on recovery and getting back on the mat.

A wider European message came with the visit of EJU Education Director Gevrise Emane. She described the value of being on site with coaches and young judoka to understand what clubs actually need. The camp also fits into the EJU’s Rolling Dojo approach, building partnerships with established kids camps. The key idea remains clear: these events are not only about pure performance, but about supporting personal development through judo—sporting, educational, and social.

Source: EJU_News