The project partners of the Judo4All project had the final evaluation meeting on 7 August 2023. Participants from Judo Club Drim Struga, Poraka Nova Struga, Judo Club Makikomi (Serbia), Mehedinti County Judo Association (Romania)  joined the online event in order to summarize the whole lifetime of the project, the activities, events, outcomes, impact and lessons learned. The aim of the meeting was to reflect on the implementation of the overall project, impact of the activities and the final results of the project.

After the welcoming part, a brief overview of the project and key deliverables reached were discussed and each participant was invited to share their experiences, on the topics such as: collaboration and communication between the partners; activities realized, overcoming challenges and changes, the impact and the report creation.

Afterwards, we continued with a discussion about the Toolkit promotion which is still ongoing activity with the plan to be finalized until the end of August. Lastly the partners discussed about the final activities connect to finances, dissemination and the impact of the project.

The picturesque city of Struga and Judo Club Drim Struga hosted the 8th International Judo Competition, where more than 40 judokas competed within the Judo4All project. What made the competition stand out this year is that for the first time in the country an inclusive judo competition was organized where participants with intellectual disabilities from Macedonia, Serbia and Romania showed their incredible skills within the framework of our unique project, supported by the European Union in partnership with judo clubs from Macedonia (Judo club Drim Struga), Serbia (Judo club Makikomi) and Romania (Asociatia Judeteana de Judo Mehedinti) and Poraka Nova.

The competition was held on June 24, followed by an inclusive training camp for the next three days, which ended on June 28.

The competition provided a platform for athletes with intellectual disabilities to excel in the martial art of judo and fostered an environment of inclusivity, acceptance and mutual respect. Athletes, coaches and domestic and foreign audiences gathered at the Timi Struga Sports Complex to witness the extraordinary athleticism, discipline and spirit that judo itself carries.

This event not only celebrates the talent and achievements of judokas and people with intellectual disabilities, but also promotes the values of inclusivity, equality and judo’s power to bring people together.

In addition to the exciting competition in various categories, after the International Judo Competition in Struga from June 25-28, a judo training camp and inclusive workshops, coaching methodologies on the meaning of inclusiveness in this sport were held. These sessions aimed to encourage participants, coaches and officials to effectively support athletes with intellectual disabilities. This event was a testament to the power of sport to overcome barriers and unite people. The event highlighted the exceptional abilities of people with intellectual disabilities in judo, breaking down stereotypes and promoting a more inclusive society.

We are thankful for everyone who joined this event! Check out the video and the photo gallery below.

The qualification day for the Struga International Tournament in June for athletes with disabilities from Judo club Makikomi Serbia took place on 14 May 2023 in Belgrade.
The Agenda was the following:

-Welcoming Judokas and audience (parents, supporters, commission members and judges)

-Opening Ceremony of the event National competition for PWID within Judo4All project

-Warming –Up with all groups of athlets

-Eliminations/Repesage/Semi-Finals, Finals (white belts and little ages U6,U7,U8/U9/U10/U12 women and men PWID

-Eliminations/Repechage/Semi-Finals, Finals (white belts U14,U16 PWID men)

-Awarding Ceremony  (Diplomas) 

-Closing Ceremony of event

-PARTY /Drinks/Snack

Selected winners:

On May 17, 2023, an inclusive judo competition for people with disabilities was held in Struga, Macedonia at the club level as part of the Judo4all project. 9 judokas took part in the competition, namely:

Jasmina Blažeska
Igor Shaynovski
Adnan Kurtishi
Nazim Kurtishi
Nermina Tyroska
Anisa Skenderi
Ranko Dunoski
Jovan Naumoski
Daniel Shikoski

All judokas had several fights from which the most successful were selected, and they are: Jasmina Blažeska, Jovan Naumoski and Igor Shajnoski.
All the judokas were very motivated to fight, wanting to show their knowledge that they acquired during their inclusive trainings at Judo Club DRIM Struga organized within the Judo4All project.
On June 24, 2023, the most successful from the domestic championship will perform at the STRUGA OPEN international competition, where they will have the opportunity to fight against inclusive judokas from Romania and Serbia.