Tbilisi gala puts Europe’s standout judo figures of 2025 in the spotlight

In the middle of the Senior European Judo Championships 2026, the European Judo Union used its Gala Dinner to look back at the people who shaped 2025. After welcome speeches from EJU President Dr. Toth Laszlo and Georgian Judo Federation President Levan Nozadze, the evening turned into a celebration of achievement across European judo.

One of the clearest headline moments belonged to Eteri Liparteliani. The Georgian star was named Best European Female Judoka 2025 after becoming world champion that year, making history as the first Georgian woman to win a world title in judo, and arriving as the newly crowned European champion. Receiving that honour in Tbilisi gave the moment extra weight.

On the men’s side, Inal Tasoev of Russia was recognised as Best European Male Judoka 2025 after taking both European and world gold in the same year. In the junior category, France’s Celia Cancan earned the award for Best European Junior Female Judoka 2025 thanks to her junior European and world titles. The prize was collected on her behalf by Cathy Mouette.

The loudest applause seemed to follow the names that changed history in 2025.

The evening also highlighted the people behind the medals. Italy’s Antonio Ciano was named Best European Women’s Coach 2025 after guiding two world champions during the season. Arsen Galstyan of Russia received the men’s coaching award after leading two world champions as well.

Among referees, the honours went to Roberta Chyurlia of Italy and Gosztonyi Balazs of Hungary. Their careers reflect years of work at the highest level, including major European and world events, as well as Olympic appointments.

Recognition extended beyond medals and titles. Romania’s Maria Loredana Lascau and Alina Borza received the EJU award for contribution to the development of education. The Fair Play Award went to Romania’s Lena Sterea, noted for carrying her injured opponent off the mat at the 2025 Veteran World Judo Championships.

Taken together, the gala felt like a snapshot of European judo at full depth. Champions, coaches, referees and educators all had their place, and that made the message of the night feel especially strong.

Source: EJU_News