Podgorica 2026 Highlights Montenegro’s Drive in Judo

The Junior European Championships in Podgorica 2026 gave Montenegro a powerful moment to reflect on its progress in Judo. For the host federation, the event was not only about staging a major European competition, but also about showing the country’s long-term commitment to the sport.

Jovica Rečević, President of the Judo Federation of Montenegro, thanked the European Judo Union and EJU President Dr Tóth László for the trust placed in Montenegro. He also highlighted the importance of support from the Montenegrin Government, stressing that development at this level depends on close institutional cooperation.

The week included an especially emotional sporting highlight: Montenegro won a gold medal at a European Championship on home soil. Hearing the national anthem in the home arena was a memorable reward for the work of the athletes, coaches and everyone involved in delivering the event.

A home gold medal gave Montenegro a special moment at the Junior Europeans.

Rečević made clear that the federation’s pride goes beyond a single medal. Montenegro’s full team represented the country at the championships, while staff and volunteers worked behind the scenes to host the event. That combined effort is central to the federation’s wider ambition.

The programme does not stop in Podgorica. Montenegro still has European Cups to organise, and Budva will later welcome delegates from European national Judo federations, the EJU Executive Committee and the wider European Judo family for the annual EJU Congress.

For a small country, that is a significant schedule. It also reflects Montenegro’s growing presence in European Judo, built through repeated involvement in major events as well as sporting results. Hosting championships requires organisational experience, infrastructure, volunteers and sustained cooperation, and Montenegro is continuing to invest energy in each of those areas.

The Podgorica championships therefore offered more than medals and matches. They provided another visible step in Montenegro’s effort to develop Judo on the European stage.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union