School tatami push in Europe as EJU and ESSF seal new pact in Zagreb

Zagreb became the backdrop for a major off-the-tatami move for European judo on 5 March 2026. The European Judo Union (EJU) and the European School Sport Federation (ESSF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that officially tightens their cooperation. The deal is all about giving judo a stronger, long-term presence in school sport across the continent.

A new agreement aims to bring judo into the daily routine of European schools.

Key representatives from both sides sat around the same table. EJU President Dr Tóth László and ESSF President Dr Ivan Dujić led the talks, joined by Croatian Judo Federation President Dr Sanda Čorak, EJU Presidential Adviser Dr Slaviša Bradić, ESSF’s Gorica Bilak Moconja and Honorary President of the Croatian Judo Federation, Tomislav Čuljak. Their shared vision: make judo structured, accessible and meaningful for young people in school environments.

The focus of the discussion was not medals, but values. Judo is seen as a tool to teach respect, discipline, courage and mutual welfare through physical activity. With this agreement, both organisations want to create more chances for kids to experience those values in regular PE classes and school competitions, not just in dedicated clubs.

Croatia was highlighted as a strong example for the rest of Europe. Since 2013, judo has been fully integrated into the national school sports competition system there, showing how well a national federation and a school sport association can cooperate. This Croatian model now serves as a blueprint for other European countries looking to follow a similar path.

The Memorandum sets a framework for implementing, organising and promoting judo through the ESSF network. That should open doors for many more children to step onto a tatami for the first time at school. For the EJU, it is another clear step in using judo for education, inclusion and youth development, taking the philosophy of the sport far beyond the dojo walls.

Source: EJU_News