34th International Judo Tournament Kicks Off in Andorra la Vella with Record 700+ Competitors

The 34th International Judo Tournament Vila d’Andorra la Vella gets underway Saturday at the Pavelló Toni Martí, featuring more than 700 competitors over two days from Andorra, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and debutant Romania.

Organised by Club Judo Hantei since 1992, the event matches last year’s record turnout. Competition begins Saturday at 14:30 with cadet and senior bouts until 20:30, shifting Sunday from 08:30 to 14:30 for base categories that account for most of the roughly 450 young athletes. Spanish participants hail from the Balearic Islands, Aragon, Navarre, Catalonia, Valencia and Madrid, alongside fighters from other nations, offering Andorran judokas a chance to compete at home against high-level opposition. Last year’s edition yielded eight medals for local competitors.

Technical director Eladi López, with 41 years of coaching experience, called the tournament a personal endeavour that has become a mainstay. He praised former club presidents Miquel Armengol, Jacint Risco and Josep Donsión for their crucial backing, without which success would have been impossible. The event’s growth necessitated moving from the Serradells sports centre to the larger Pavelló Toni Martí, the only Andorran venue able to host up to eight tatamis running simultaneously—a setup comparable to a Spanish national championship.

Around 80 volunteers will manage refereeing, judging, protocol and audiovisual operations, supporting live streaming that drew nearly 14,000 views from 70 countries last year. The influx of 2,000 to 3,000 accompanying spectators will provide an economic lift, transforming the pavilion into a hub of judo celebration.

López suggested the team may innovate with new formats in future editions to sustain momentum.