This weekend, November 7-8, 2026, features a packed international and domestic calendar for judo and karate. Key events include the Judo European Mixed Team Championships in Belgrade, the Italian Judo A2 Championships in Ostia, and the Karate Eurocup Istria in Croatia, with numerous athletes from Italy’s Friuli-Venezia Giulia region competing.
The upcoming weekend is a major test for judo and karate athletes across Europe, with high-level competitions in Italy, Serbia, Hungary, and Croatia. Italy’s national teams are in action, while domestic tournaments draw hundreds of participants. According to Fijlkam, the Italian martial arts federation, over 1,000 athletes are registered for the weekend’s events, which span multiple age and skill levels.
What events are happening in judo this weekend?
Judo will be the focus of major international and domestic tournaments. The Italian national team is competing in the European Mixed Team Championships in Belgrade, while domestic A2 Championships take place in Ostia. A European cadet event is scheduled in Hungary.
European Mixed Team Championships in Belgrade
The Fijlkam roster for the European Mixed Team Championships in Belgrade includes 13 nations. Italy’s team is seeded across multiple weight classes:
- Women -57 kg: Giulia Carnà, Michela Terranova
- Women -70 kg: Nadia Simeoli, Serena Ondei
- Women +70 kg: Tiziana Marini, Erica Simonetti
- Men -73 kg: Fabrizio Esposito, Federico Bosis
- Men -90 kg: Tiziano Falcone
- Men +90 kg: Francesco Basso, Kwadjo Anani
Italian Judo A2 Championships in Ostia
The PalaPellicone in Ostia hosts the Italian Judo A2 Championships, featuring 455 athletes from 208 clubs. Sixteen of those athletes represent the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. The event runs Saturday and Sunday.
The Friuli-Venezia Giulia athletes are as follows:
Male Athletes
- -60 kg: Francesco Biancifiori (Judo Azzanese), Enrico Fornasa (Società Ginnastica Triestina)
- -66 kg: Gesù Francis Aman (Judo Azzanese), Alessio Torres (A&R Trieste)
- -73 kg: Alessio Esposito (DLF Yama Arashi Udine), Andrea Forabosco (Kuroki Tarcento), Marco Rossi (Corpo Libero), Gino Gianmarco Stefanel (Kuroki Tarcento)
- -81 kg: Iacopo Bardus (Kuroki Tarcento), Aliseo Mancosu (Judo Club San Vito)
- -90 kg: Davide Battiston (Judo Azzanese), Leonardo Bozzo (Kai Gradisca)
- -100 kg: Filippo Armano (Società Ginnastica Triestina)
- +100 kg: Carlo Giacomello (Judo Club San Vito)
Female Athletes
- -57 kg: Sofia Cittaro (DLF Yama Arashi Udine)
- -70 kg: Soraya Luri Meret (Kuroki Tarcento)
European Cadet Cup in Gyor
Also this weekend, the European Cadet Cup is being held in Gyor, Hungary, with 538 athletes from 29 nations. The Friuli-Venezia Giulia region is represented by three athletes:
- Alice Bronzin (DLF Yama Arashi Udine) in the -52 kg category
- Emma Iasevoli (Skorpion Pordenone) in the -63 kg category
- Leonardo Zuccheri (DLF Yama Arashi Udine) in the -90 kg category
Karate Events Scheduled for This Weekend
Karate competitions are also prominent this weekend. Events include a regional qualifier in Italy and an international Eurocup in Croatia, with several clubs from Italy’s Friuli-Venezia Giulia region participating.
Karate Qualifications in Azzano Decimo
On Saturday, Azzano Decimo, Italy, will host karate qualifications for Esordientes (beginners), along with grading exams and federal qualifying events.
Eurocup Istria 2026 in Porec
The Eurocup Istria 2026 takes place Saturday and Sunday in Porec, Croatia. The tournament features athletes from Italy, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Croatia. Four clubs from Italy’s Friuli-Venezia Giulia region are participating:
- Karate Do Trieste
- Shotokan Karate Pozzuolo del Friuli
- Team Carotenuto
- Defence Karate 2000 Pravisdomini
How does the weekend’s martial arts schedule compare to other regions?
While the focus is on judo and karate, other regional events are also happening. In Tuscany, for example, italisette.it reports the Autumnia festival in Figline Valdarno (running November 6-8) and various food and cultural events, such as the SI.EVO – Festival dell’Olio, which promotes local olive oil traditions. These events provide a broader cultural context for the weekend, though they are unrelated to the martial sports competitions.
Judo A2 Championships Held in Ostia
Where are the judo A2 Championships being held?
The Italian Judo A2 Championships are being held at the PalaPellicone in Ostia, Italy, on November 7-8.
Which Italian athletes are competing in Belgrade?
Italy’s team in Belgrade for the European Mixed Team Championships includes athletes like Giulia Carnà, Michela Terranova, and Fabrizio Esposito across various weight classes.
What is the Eurocup Istria?
The Eurocup Istria is an international karate tournament in Porec, Croatia, featuring athletes from Italy, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Croatia.
How many athletes are competing in the European Cadet Cup?
The European Cadet Cup in Gyor, Hungary, has 538 athletes from 29 nations registered to compete.
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