European Judo Championships 2026: April 18 Schedule, TV, Streaming, Italians in Action
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the third day of competition unfolds at the European Senior Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. The Olympic Palace hosts judoka from 46 nations as the individual championships reach their pivotal midpoint, with medal bouts set for the afternoon final block.
April 18 Competition Schedule
According to the official draw published by the International Judo Federation, Saturday’s preliminaries begin at 10:00 local time in Tbilisi (Asia/Tbilisi zone). Men’s -81 kg and -90 kg divisions take to the tatami first, followed by women’s -70 kg category. The final block commences at 16:00 local time, where medal matches for these weight classes will be contested.
This schedule aligns with the championship’s four-day structure: Day 1 featured -60 kg/-66 kg men and -48 kg/-52 kg women; Day 2 covered -73 kg men and -57 kg/-63 kg women; Day 3 (April 18) focuses on -81 kg/-90 kg men and -70 kg women; Day 4 concludes with -100 kg/+100 kg men and -78 kg/+78 kg women.
Medal Contention and Standings
Through the first two days of competition, France leads the medal table with two gold, two silver, and three bronze medals. Host nation Georgia follows in second with two gold, one silver, and no bronze. The Russian Federation sits third with one gold, one silver, and one bronze, while Kosovo and the Netherlands each claim one gold medal.
Specific medalists confirmed through Day 2 include Luka Mkheidze (France) in men’s -60 kg, Giorgi Sardalashvili (Georgia) in men’s -60 kg silver, Murad Chopanov (Russia) in men’s -66 kg gold, and Distria Krasniqi (Kosovo) in women’s -52 kg gold. Additional gold winners are Lasha Shavdatuashvili (Georgia) in men’s -73 kg and Shirine Boukli (France) in women’s -48 kg.
Italian Athletes in Competition
While the source material references Italian participation in the context of the query, the verified competition data from official sources does not list specific Italian athletes among the medalists or competitors detailed in the available results for the men’s -60 kg, -66 kg, -73 kg, women’s -48 kg, -52 kg, or -57 kg categories through April 17, 2026. The official athlete roster confirms 400 competitors from 46 nations are participating, but individual national breakdowns beyond medal-winning performances are not specified in the verified sources.
Broadcast and Streaming Information
The International Judo Federation’s event page for the Tbilisi 2026 Championships notes that television information is currently unavailable, stating: “This competition does not have any TV info yet.” No official streaming partners or broadcast details have been published by the IJF, European Judo Union, or Georgian hosting authorities as of the competition’s start date.
Fans seeking live coverage are advised to consult the IJF’s official JudoTV platform, which typically streams World Tour events, though specific availability for the Tbilisi 2026 Championships has not been confirmed in the verified sources.
Venue and Context
The Olympic Palace in Tbilisi serves as the championship venue, hosting approximately 400 judoka representing 46 European nations. The competition runs from April 16 to April 19, 2026, forming part of the International Judo Federation’s World Tour circuit. Local time in Tbilisi observes Georgia Standard Time (GET), which is UTC+4 year-round.
What’s Next
Following the conclusion of April 18’s competition, the championships shift to Day 4 on April 19, featuring preliminaries at 10:00 local time for men’s -100 kg and +100 kg divisions and women’s -78 kg and +78 kg divisions, with the final block beginning at 16:00 local time. The event will conclude with the crowning of champions across all 14 weight categories.
For the latest updates on results, standings, and competition progress, readers should refer to the International Judo Federation’s official competition page for the European Senior Championships 2026 Individuals in Tbilisi.
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