2026 European Judo Championships
The 2026 European Judo Championships, held in Tbilisi, Georgia, concluded without a single medal for the Ukrainian team. This outcome matches the nation's previous medal drought from 1999. The closest contenders this year were Dilshot Khalmatov and Mykhailo Svidrak, but both athletes were ultimately defeated in the repechage rounds.
Ukrainian Athletes' Performance
Competing in the under 60 kg category, Dilshot Khalmatov first lost to Azerbaijan's Balabay Aghayev. He then faced Israel's Itzhak Ashpis for a bronze medal but was defeated again. In the under 81 kg category, Mykhailo Svidrak was initially bested by Russia's Timur Arbuzov, who went on to win the gold medal. Svidrak then lost his repechage match to Belgium's Mathias Casse.
Ukraine did not field a full team at the championships, sending only 12 athletes—9 men and 3 women. Notably absent was Yuliia Kurchenko, who was unable to compete due to injury. Kurchenko had previously won a bronze medal at the 2025 European Championships, and her absence was a significant blow to the team's prospects.
Consequently, Ukraine left the 2026 European Judo Championships without any medals, repeating the disappointing result from 1999. This performance highlights the challenges facing Ukrainian judo on the continental stage.
This result has raised concerns among sports analysts and fans, indicating a need to review the preparation and participation of Ukrainian judokas in international competitions. It is crucial for the judo federation to address these challenges and implement measures to improve future results.
The absence of key athletes, particularly Yuliia Kurchenko, significantly impacted the team's performance at the championships. For more insights on her injury and its effects on the squad, read about the Ukrainian Judo Team's preparations for the 2026 European Championships.