The Opening Ceremony of the 2017 European Universities Championships in Judo, Karate and Taekwondo took place on July 25 in Coimbra at the University Stadium.

The event encompasses three championships, making it the largest EUSA sports event in the year, and also represents a test event for the upcoming European Universities Games - EUG2018.



The Opening Ceremony was attended by several key authorities, including the Minister of Education Mr Tiago Brandão Rodrigues, Portuguese Institute of Sports and Youth’s (IPDJ) President Mr Augusto Baganha, Rector of the University of Coimbra Mr João Gabriel Silva, President of the Portuguese University Sports Federation (FADU) Mr Daniel Monteiro, representatives of the European University Sports Association (EUSA), and other guests.



On behalf of the Organizing Committee the participants were welcomed FADU President Mr Monteiro and the Rector of the University of Coimbra Mr Silva.



On behalf of the EUSA, Executive Committee member Mr Dmitry Kiselev welcomed all participants and wished all the teams and participants who came to test their skills and abilities great competitions and all the best. He also thanked the Organizing Committee for all their contributions.



The competitions are organized by Coimbra’s University and its Sports Department with contribution of the Portuguese Universities Sports Federation (FADU) and Coimbra’s Academic Association (AAC). The individual championships are supported also by the respective national sports governing bodies in Portugal, and we are especially proud that the karate competitions are supported also by the European Karate Federation; and in other sports the arrangements are being finalised.



The events – 4th European Universities Judo Championship, 8th European Universities Karate Championship and 5th European Universities Taekwondo Championship - are taking place between July 25 and 27 in Coimbra, Portugal, host city of the European Universities Games 2018.



EUSA is represented by Executive Committee Members Mr Dmitry Kiselev and Mr Francis Cirianni, Sports Manager Mr Besim Aliti and Technical Delegates Mr Branislav Crnogorac, assisted by Ms Arijana Jaha for Judo; Technical Delegate Mr Davor Cipek for Karate; and Technical Delegate Mr Noor Shirali, assisted by Mrs Johanna Bliem for Taekwondo. The team is additionally supported by EUSA projects assistant Mr Liam Smith. Together with the Organising Committee, they are working hard to ensure best conditions to the participants.



Judo is hosting 195 athletes, representing 103 universities from 18 countries; Karate 220 athletes, representing 108 universities from 21 countries and Taekwondo 157 athletes from 83 European universities from 14 countries.



The competitions in all three sports are already in full swing, with two more competition days ahead of us.

More info and results can be found at www.coimbra2017.eusa.eu, by choosing the sport of your choice.