DAEDO INTERNATIONAL is a Barcelona-based company. The Korean-born PARK moved to Barcelona in the early 1980s. In 1983 he founded the Taekwondo equipment company DAEDO. After almost 40 years the company is well-known worldwide for manufacturing and selling quality products for various martial arts, like Karate and Judo.

The name DAEDO means “great way” in Korean and was inspired by Parks grandfather, who said that a person should seek to become a person who walks along the great way in their life. The philosophy is to produce quality products and sell them at a reasonable price.

“The EJU has taken care of all the partner companies during the COVID-19 pandemic. With this trustworthy partner we expect a long-lasting partnership.

Hopefully the pandemic can be declared finished and all martial arts, specially Judo, can get back to its full capacity in terms of events and classes.”

The company is the official supplier of the Spanish Judo Federation and supports also different top judokas like, Nikoloz Sherazadishvili (ESP), Francisco Garrigos (ESP), Rustam Orujov and Orkhan Safarov (AZE).

Francisco Garrigos

Nikoloz Sherazadishvili

Orkhan Safarov

Rustam Orujov

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The company based in Moscow is the market leader in the production of tatami in Russia. But besides tatami they also produce boxing rings, as well as other sports equipment for martial arts.

The CEO of Materik, Lilit Zhukova said:

“The Partnership with the European Judo Union gave us the opportunity to introduce our products to the European market, and we are very grateful for this great opportunity. For us the EJU is not only a partner but they are also a friendly organisation. During the partnership we would like to become more valuable and necessary not only as a sponsor, but also as a member of the European Judo family.”

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Mizuno was founded in 1906 in Osaka, Japan by Rihachi Mizuno and started to produce judogi in 1964 when judo was introduced in the Olympic Games in Tokyo. 

Since 2000, Mizuno has been offering judo products in Europe and with the biggest market on the continent, was started in France. Following success in France, Mizuno judogi distribution ventured further afield and today the brand is distributed in all European countries

In comparison to larger companies such as Adidas, Mizuno is smaller but the aim isn’t to be the biggest, but the best sport company in their specific fields. As a top brand judogi supplier, Mizuno has a long and strong history in supplying, quality is the most important thing for the brand. They ensure they have the answer to all different needs, from children, beginners to the next world champion.

Speaking with Guillaume Gay, Business Manager of Mizuno France he explains,

the Japanese people use great care and accuracy in everything they do and Mizuno judogi production is in line with this. We are combining the best of traditional craftmanship thanks to a very experienced, hard-working staff and advanced technology like 3D movement analysis to develop the best judogi possible. We are also looking for the best quality materials for a perfect feel and durability. In addition, we work closely with the best judoka in the world which are providing us their feedback on our products so we have precious information to continue to upgrade the quality of our products. 

With some of the strongest partnerships in the world including Japan, France, Brazil, Germany and many individual athletes from various countries including the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and Russia, it just goes to show the quality of the product.

Mizuno is a popular brand so we have many judoka competing on top competition with our judogi without any agreement. Sometimes, even if they are great champion, some athletes prefer to buy Mizuno judogi instead of using free products from competitors as sponsoring because they love the quality of our products. At the end, Mizuno is brand number one on IJF world Tour podiums.

This agreement with the EJU, following the pandemic is a great way of increasing business for Mizuno, and with many athletes back on the circuit sporting their brand as well as advertisement, business is bound to increase and help them reach their current target in Europe. But Mizuno’s goal is also to contribute to promotion of sports and to support this institution. The EJU is organising many events including competitions, training camps, seminars and action for kids to promote judo. Mizuno believe it is very important to support this kind of initiative and was another reason to continue the partnership.

Europe is a very strong continent, notably in the last world championships taking over half of the titles, and alongside the world tour, the EJU is active in the promotion of sport, Mizuno wants to contribute to the promotion of judo.

After a complicated year, we expect things to be back to normal as much as possible. We hope there will be as many judoka on tatamis as before, from kids to competitors. We hope that spectators will be allowed to assist to competition and, of course, we also hope our business will be back to what it used to be. The pandemic had a strong impact on everything and we expect a recovery as soon as possible. Then we will have some new projects, especially to prepare for Olympics in Paris which will be another major event but we should go step by step and fully recover first.

With the Olympic Games around the corner, there is much to celebrate for the Mizuno brand. Japan is the home country of both judo and Mizuno, 57 years ago judo was introduced in to the Olympic Games in the same Kodokan and Mizuno started to produce judogis. It is a strong reflection on their history.

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The company was founded in 2012 and has been supplying the EJU since 2018. The Hungarian company is the market leader for back numbers world wide and will be a new OFFICIAL SPONSOR. This partnership, as stated by their spokesperson,

is an excellent opportunity for our company because judo is more than sport. The EJU organise many competitions throughout the year, this gives them a broader understanding of our products.

We are very happy that we are part of the judo family.

With the return of competitions, Official Backnumber is expecting to return to normal business from next year and return the school program to ensure the supply for cadet competitions.

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We regard ourselves as a European brand and, post-brexit, believe it of vital importance to strengthen our links with our friends in the European Union. We are well prepared to do “that bit extra” to demonstrate our commitment to Europe.

There is no question of the  EJU’S importance as the strongest continental union in international judo and it is not surprising that Fighting Films should find the partnership with the EJU an attractive and hugely beneficial arrangement.

We recognise the premier position occupied in international judo by the EJU and the influence that goes with that. The various programmes of the EJU are extremely attractive to our company, in particular those aimed at promoting and increasing participation. We are a relatively small company but believe that we can play a big part as an experienced partner.

There are a huge number of variables in every industry. Sport and in particular our sport of judo is no different. Managing the ever changing scene of the international market is becoming more complex and requires increasing business and commercial expertise.

Judo has been deeply affected by the global pandemic and its impacts are likely to be felt for a long time to come.  However, with vaccination programmes being rolled out we are beginning to see an easing of restrictions in many countries. We can perhaps begin to look forward to a return to some degree of normality, maybe by the next world championships. Over and above the cut and thrust of international competition there is a real need for recreational and grass roots judo to be freed from the restrictions imposed by Covid-19. Our company is unusual in that it is focused entirely on judo and not distracted by commitments to other martial arts. This does mean however, that we are dependent on judo’s success and for that reason we are eager to play our part in supporting that success. We do not underestimate the task ahead of the EJU and sport as a whole. Fighting Films will be there, as it has been for the past three decades plus, to work with its partners at growing and developing the sport in every way it can.

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There was no doubt to extend the contract with the EJU. We are satisfied with our collaboration and it is important to say so. Strategically, IPPON is established in 5 countries and needs an international visibility. Judo is an excellent vector of communication because we share the same values. This is the main meaning of our partnership.

The European Judo Union is an excellent partner also for France because we need all the energies, at all levels of territories, in France as well as in Europe, and even in the whole world. We all work hand in hand for judo.

CEO of Ippon Technologies is Stéphane Nomis

Ippon Technologies focus is IT consulting, design and implementation. The company have more than 450 experts and the ambition of becoming a leader in Digital Solutions, Cloud and Data. The French company assists companies in the development and transformation of their information systems with application performance and robust solutions. Ippon offers a 360° range of services to meet all the needs in technological innovation consultancy, design, development, hosting and training.

Asked about the future, Stephane Nomis answered otimistically;

I expect the best for this year: a new start for our members after this crisis, new members and practitioners, beautiful judo events in France, and medals at all competitions in which the French participate, and particularly at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

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World Champion Daria Bilodid (UKR) is wearing adidas

Also Europan Champion Vedat Albayrak (TUR) trusts the brand with the three stripes.

3 times European Champion Georgii Zantaraia (UKR)

Georgian judo star Guram Tushishvili (GEO) is celebrating in an adidas judogi

The French company was founded by double Olympic Champion David Douillet and judo team mate Cédric Dermée. The company has been established for already more than 28 years and the licence holder for the world class brand with the three strips: ADIDAS

The corporate philosophy is based on three pillars: Judo, Performance and Ecology.

Six members of the Double D team are black belts. Double D and ADIDAS love judo and it is the heart and DNA of this company.

Double D represents 75 distributors world wide and the former judokas know perfectly the judo and its environment.

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The next long-standing partner of the EJU has extended their sponsorship. The company Green Hill has signed the contract as an OFFICIAL SUPPLIER. 

Green Hill was founded in 1964 by the current president, Jahangir Riaz. He had established Green Hill as a world-class brand of boxing, martial arts and other premium sporting products. 

“For me it was a question of respect to continue the contract. Last year my company had some economic difficulties but the president of the EJU, Sergey Soloveychik had a great understanding of our situation and he was very supportive. I respect him very much for this decision. With such a trusting business partner I am more than happy to extend the partnership!”

Jahangir Riaz, Founder of Green Hill

Green Hill have been active in Europe since the late 1990s, exploring judo in 1999, with 128 employees on the continent and dealing with an impressive 150 countries worldwide. Of course, without the high standard of equipment, this wouldn’t be possible.

Green Hill collaborates with dozens of European ranked athletes including the rising -57kg star, current Junior European Judo Champion, Marica Perisic (SRB) and the 2020 bronze medallist Anja Obradovic (SRB) as well as 2017 senior European champion, Aleksandar Kukolj (SRB). Recent news is the collaboration with the bronze medal winner of the IJF World Master 2021, Ivaylo Ivanov (BUL) and the Finnish top judokas Puumalainen Martti and Kanerva Emilia.

Green Hill is present all over the world working with top level athletes, such as the Cuban national judo team which boasts the most medalled judoka in the world Idalys Ortiz, world class judokas such as Ivan Silva, Andy Granda, Maylin del Toro and Kaliema Antomarchi.

“Business is one thing but we are also suffering with the families, athletes and clubs who don’t have normal school or can’t go to training in a gym or club. But I am very very optimistic and very hopeful for better times in this summer. 

The people will come back to judo and the restart of the EJU Junior and Cadet Cup series is a first hopeful sign”

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The former Dutch athlete took a bronze medal in the 1999 World Championships and retired from competitive judo following the Olympic Games in Sydney, 2000. However he did not want to lose judo from his life, and instead founded the sport brand company ESSIMO.

“I was not happy with the fit of the judogi in that time and my aim was to create better judo suits. I knew what Judoka needed. So I founded ESSIMO.”

CEO Patrick van Kalken

Essimo has a huge range of combat sports equipment. From judo suits to karate suits and from boxing gloves to puzzle mats. You will find it all at Essimo and also an excellent customer service.

At the moment the Dutch company distributes in more than 30 countries.

“When I heard of the new sponsor and marketing concept of the EJU I was immediately enthusiastic. The new ‘Rescue Plan’ plan sounded impressive especially after one year of the COVID pandemic and difficult economic times. It has been my wish for a long time to be partner of the EJU. Now is the right time to do it.”

“I am confident that together with the European Judo Union we can increase our network and the awareness and visibility of our brand.”

ESSIMO is a brand from Judoka for Judoka. Of course Patrick van Kalken is still a huge fan of the sport and one thing he is missing at the moment.

“I am looking forward to visit judo tournaments, with top judoka but also with a full venue and cheering spectators.”

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The worldwide well-known company from Bavaria has been involved with the EJU for a long time. They have been the first of our sponsors to continue with their support of the EJU despite a very difficult period during this pandemic.

For CEO Stefan Kneitinger was it an easy decision to prolong the partnership with the EJU.

Judo is experiencing the most critical period for decades. Nearly all schools, gyms and sports clubs are shut down or are facing restrictions to prevent the spread of infection.

Even though we see light at the end of the tunnel, the most difficult time is still ahead, the time after COVID-19. This will be the time, when we have to bond all the power of the Judo family, to re-build the clubs, to bring Judoka back to the gyms, to attract new members and to convince the people out there of the important values of our sport. Values that have suffered a lot during the last months and will be more important than ever before.

The deal with IPPON GEAR will initially run for 1 year and is the first partnership under the new EJU Sponsor Strategy (Premium Partner, Official Supplier, Supporter).

The contract extension should also be a positive signal for our other partners to respond to this pandemic and to overcome this challenge. Only with strong partners we are able to contribute to the rebirth of our sport and to support clubs and national federations along the way.

The EJU has been like a family to us, for many years. We are a European brand, and through this partnership we can contribute to the development of judo in Europe. Especially in times like this, we all need to stick together and make sure that judo will survive this pandemic. It will take some time but through this collaboration we can support clubs and federations to make sure judo is stronger than this. For us, there was never a doubt to extend the contract as the main equipment partner with the EJU. Now or ever. We look forward to the upcoming years with the EJU. They will be exciting years but we are positive that together, we can overcome this difficult period.

CEO of IPPON GEAR, Stefan Kneitinger

We are proud to have such a great and motivated partner on our side and we are looking forward for the future.

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