Poreč Becomes Launchpad for Europe’s Rising Cadet Judoka

At the end of February, Poreč once again turns into a hotspot for Europe’s strongest cadet judoka. More than 750 athletes from 30 countries are heading to the Poreč ‘Millennium Team’ Cadet European Cup 2026, fighting for medals and recognition on one of the biggest youth stages on the continent.

Poreč is where many European judoka first show they are ready for serious international battles.

The Žatika Hall will host 763 registered competitors, underlining how massive this event has become in the cadet calendar. Host nation Croatia leads the entry list with 112 athletes, closely followed by Italy with 109, then Israel, Serbia and Austria. For many, this event is a first real test outside their own borders and a chance to measure themselves against the full European field.

Croatian cadet national coach Matija Frlić underlines how crucial this tournament is for their programme. He sees Poreč as the key stop of the season, giving coaches a rare, wide-angle look at future national team material. The bonus: young Croatian judoka feel the energy of competing in front of home supporters, which can push them or expose their weaknesses.

The home team wants to build on last year’s bronze medals from Ana Bešker and Antea Ajduković. One name already standing out early in the season is Marko Vujica from JK Samobor, who has collected medals at two European Cups and captured two African Cup golds in Casablanca, signalling he is in sharp form. All eyes will be on whether he can extend that streak on home soil.

Competition officially opens on Saturday, 28 February at 15:00, with two days of action across all Olympic weight categories. Right after, from 2 to 4 March, the European Judo Union will run a training camp on over 1,500 m² of tatami. This camp turns Poreč into a real development hub, giving Europe’s cadets a rare chance to train, learn and grow together in an intense international environment.

With that mix of top-level event and training camp, Poreč strengthens its status as one of the must-visit stops for European cadet judo.

Source: EJU_News