European Judo Union

The EJU consists of 51 national Judo federations/associations, and is itself recognised by the IJF as one of five continental unions. The organisation of the administration of Judo is based on a pyramid system of regulations, with the IJF the world governing body, the EJU the European governing body, and national Judo associations the governing bodies at domestic level.[1][2]

European Judo Union

Abbreviation	EJU
Formation	28 July 1948 (1948-07-28)
Headquarters	Vienna, Austria
Region served	Europe
Members	51 Judo federations
Official languages	English French Russian
President	Dr László Tóth
Senior Vice-President	Otto Kneitinger
Vice-Presidents	Hrvoje Lindi Sergei Aschwanden
General Secretary	Dr Martin Poiger
Main organ	EJU Congress
Parent organization	IJF
Website	eju.net

The first meeting was held on July 26, 1948, in London to form the European Judo Union (EJU). Representatives from Great Britain, Austria, and the Netherlands took part. The meeting was adjourned until the following Wednesday. On July 28 finally, Great Britain put forward the motion: "That the European Judo Union be now formed on the basis of the Constitution as approved, and that all other European countries be circulated with a copy of it and be invited to join." This was seconded by Holland and approved unanimously.[3] France, who was allowed to express opinions but not to vote.

The object of the proposed Union was the standardisation of judo rules and procedures and the establishment of an international body for arbitration. Inclusion of judo in the Olympic Games was first mentioned in this meeting.[4] Young French publisher Henry D. Plee suggested that he print a translation of the Kodokan's monthly magazine in English and French; the EJU agreed to make it an official organ of the EJU.

After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, in February 2022 Russian Sergey Soloveychik resigned as European Judo Union President, a position he had held since 2007, and thereafter the Russian Judo Federation and the Belarusian Judo Federation suspended their participation in all EJU international events, and the EJU cancelled two events that had been scheduled to take place in Russia.[5][6][7] In addition, the EJU withdrew Russian President Vladimir Putin's title of Honorary President of EJU.[7][8]