“Last year I received an invitation to a celebration from the Latvian Judo Federation for their 50 year jubilee. Unfortunately it was also important to attend the European Open Championships in Kosovo, which clashed on the calendar and so I had to cancel my visit to Latvia,” explained Dr Toth. “I therefore promised to come to the next event in Riga and so I am here. I am proud of their 50 year contribution to the sport. I have a lot of respect for their federation and the heroes from Latvian judo of the past.
I am very happy and proud, not just for the ceremony I am a part of here, presenting the federation with an award for their 50 years of good work, but also of every activity they undertake. This European Cup is like an exemplar and I am very satisfied with the results I have seen from this competition."
"I am sure the European events are going in he right direction. We really need these types of competitions for development, as a step to the next level. It’s an important decision of the athletes and coaches, it is necessary to choose these events as part of their plan. They have shown it value by bringing a total of 340 athletes to Riga. It’s an essential part of our pyramid. I have seen many beautiful fights and talented athletes, some of whom have competed already at the European -23 Championships, for example. We have even seen here that other continents are participating such as Kazakhstan from Asia. This is a chance for athletes to grow, from here, from the Cup circuit. Several judoka from this event in Latvia may, in the future, perhaps be at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Good results from here give some athletes the chance to continue, to secure funding or to evidence their improvement.
The organisation in Riga is at the level that is needed. The Latvian Judo Federation have stepped up to do this work and they have done well. Their president, Mr Vsevolods Zelonijs, has now agreed with the EJU to host the 2025 European Championships Veterans and Kata. There will also be a Kodokan kata seminar and a kata youth festival. It’s a huge undertaking and being in Riga this weekend, I can see they will be ready. Latvia is a gateway to Scandinavia and the Baltic region and we need to ensure everyone in Europe can be involved at this level.”
During the Riga European Cup opening ceremony, Dr Laszlo Toth presented the federation president with a diploma and medal to mark the 50th anniversary of the federation. During the presentation, Mr Alexandr Jatskevitch, EJU Head Referee Director, was also presented with an award to thank him for his long and valuable contribution to Latvian judo and also to the wider judo community.
