Rijeka Set to Welcome Europe’s Kata Community in 2027

The final moments of the European Judo Championships Kata Sarajevo 2026 were not only about saying goodbye. They also pointed clearly toward what comes next, as Rijeka was confirmed as the host city for the 2027 edition in Croatia.

During the official flag handover ceremony at Hotel Hills, Dr Sanda Čorak, President of the Croatian Judo Federation, received the European Judo Union flag. It was a symbolic moment, but also one that carried real weight for Croatian judo as attention shifted from Sarajevo to the next continental gathering.

Joining the ceremony were Dr Tóth László, President of the European Judo Union, and Branislav Crnogorac, President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The handover brought an emotional close to a championship that, according to the event atmosphere and comments around it, underlined the growing place of kata within European judo.

For Dr Čorak, that growth is impossible to ignore. She highlighted the strong participation seen this year and said the numbers continue to rise. That feeling is not limited to one event either, with interest in kata in Croatia appearing to build steadily.

One example she pointed to was an upcoming national black belt examination in Zagreb. For the first time, Croatia is expected to have 100 participants for a black belt exam in one day, a figure she described as significant.

For Croatia, the handover felt like both a reward and a promise.

The Croatian Judo Federation also sees newer kata-related formats as part of that momentum. ENBU team competitions were mentioned as a way to show younger judoka another side of the sport, one based on precision, cooperation and understanding rather than only contest results.

That wider message matters to Dr Čorak. Her hope is that interest continues to grow not just inside the existing judo community, but beyond it as well. In her view, kata helps show that judo is open to everyone.

Rijeka’s selection also has a deeper national meaning. Croatia already has established host cities such as Zagreb and Poreč, but the federation has made a clear effort to spread major events across different parts of the country. That approach now includes Dubrovnik, Split, Poreč and Rijeka, with the aim of bringing top-level judo closer to local communities.

There is also a strong connection to Slaviša Bradić, EJU Head Kata Commissioner, whose work for kata in Croatia and internationally was warmly acknowledged by Dr Čorak. She noted that while Rijeka may not be the natural choice for some of the biggest championships, it is an excellent fit for kata.

Croatia has built a reputation for delivering international judo events successfully, and the country’s experience will now be tested again on the kata stage. After hosting the Senior European Championships in 2024, welcoming another continental event already feels important. But this time, there is an extra layer to it.

For the Croatian federation, the 2027 championships are also a chance to remind people what judo really is. Not only fighting, but also form, timing, discipline and shared understanding.

In Rijeka, kata will take the lead.

That is why this handover mattered. It was not just about a flag changing hands. It was about a growing discipline, a host nation ready to showcase it, and a city preparing for its moment in European judo.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union