One hundred and fifty athletes from 12 nations competed over the weekend at Velika Goricain Croatia, in what was the first official event of the circuit dedicated to adapted judo. The Get Together Tournament is another important proposal from the European Judo Union, which has entrusted Marina Draskovic with the leadership of the Adapted Judo Project.
“Today was the first official event for adapted judo organized by the EJU as part of the “Get Together” Project. – he said Alessandro Comiin the role of EJU Sport Commissioner- It is a path that is both ambitious and far-sighted that from a on the one hand it aims to create a common language among the many interlocutors who deal with judo and disability at a continental level, on the other hand it shifts the spotlight to a different type of judo compared to that of the major events to which we are accustomed. The approach adopted by the EJU experts who worked on the project is to bring skills and not pathologies onto the tatami, enhancing what every athlete can do through judo and its basic principles. It is here that the famous EJU slogan “Judo more than sport” becomes reality and calls us all into question…disability is, moreover, a daily experience in most of our clubs and the EJU gives us the opportunity to bring resources to the tatami otherwise unthinkable.”
“We are very happy to have organized this Get Together Tournament in Velika Gorica – he said Marina Draskovic– as it is the first event on the official circuit after the test we did last November in Venray. Here everything went well, and with the different levels of disability and the heterogeneity of individual abilities it is not a trivial thing, as the preliminary phases were very accurate with the subdivision of the levels, from 1 to 5 and two age groups, under and over 16. The most important commitment is to identify the appropriate level of each judoka to compete fairly in a shiai situation, allowing everyone to express their judo ability and demonstrate what they can do . Once all the levels have been defined and arranged on the tatami, we can clearly identify the differences and this allows us to form groups and have a competition that is constructive for everyone.”
Italy’s presence was ensured by Chiara Meucci, coach of the Fight Academy of Francavilla a Mare, who accompanied and followed her boys in this new experience.
“It is important to understand that even in this area there is progression in skills and learning – he said Chiara Meucci– for athletes and the technicians who dedicate themselves to it, exactly as happens for able-bodied athletes and therefore, level progression has also been created, from national to international. Commitment is the decisive aspect, anyone who chooses to commit can do it, whether they are an athlete or, above all, a coach. And it is this category that I would like to address, inviting all the technicians to reflect on how beautiful and satisfying dedication for these kids can be.”
And the boys of the Fight Academy of Francavilla a Mare did well, who on this occasion obtained first places with Cristiano Concas, Matteo Anzellini, Onyeaju Rejioce Chidera, Gianmarco Crisante, second place for Michele La Torre and third for Guerino DeLuca.
