Latvia, situated on the Baltic Sea between Lithuania and Estonia, is thought for its expansive seashores and huge, dense forests. Its capital, Riga, is famend for its beautiful picket and artwork nouveau structure, together with its medieval Previous City, the place landmarks like St. Peter’s Church stand tall. Riga can also be house to the sprawling Central Market and museums such because the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, which highlights the nation’s conventional crafts, delicacies, and music. The inhabitants of Latvia is roughly 1.9 million, and the nation covers an space of 64,589 km².
The Latvian Judo Federation (Latvijas Džudo federācija) was established in 1973, marking the formal organisation of judo in Latvia. Judo started gaining recognition in Latvia within the post-World Battle II interval, particularly in the course of the Soviet period, when it was launched as a part of bodily training and fight coaching packages.
Key Milestones
Between 1973 and 1990, Latvian judoka competed below the Soviet Union’s banner, attaining notable success in each home and worldwide competitions. Judo was promoted by means of native golf equipment and sports activities faculties, establishing a powerful basis for future achievements. Throughout this era, Arons BOGOLUBOVS, one in all Latvia’s most famed judoka, received bronze within the -68kg class on the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, representing the Soviet Union, marking Latvia’s first-ever Olympic judo medal. On the 1980 Moscow Olympics, Alexandr JATSKEVITCH added to this legacy with a bronze medal within the -86kg class, additionally representing the Soviet Union.
After Latvia regained independence in 1991, the Latvian Judo Federation grew to become a member of worldwide judo organizations, together with the Worldwide Judo Federation (IJF) and the European Judo Union (EJU). This allowed Latvian athletes to compete below the Latvian flag at worldwide tournaments, together with the Olympics. Latvia’s most distinguished Olympic achievement got here on the 2000 Sydney Olympics when Vsevolods ZELONIJS received a bronze medal within the males’s -73kg class, marking Latvia’s first Olympic medal in judo as an impartial nation. His identify stays vital right this moment, as Mr. Zelonijs is the present president of the Latvian Judo Federation.
The nation has produced a number of top-level judoka who’ve competed efficiently in each European and World Championships. In 1997, Zeļonijs received bronze on the senior World Judo Championships, additional boosting Latvia’s rising popularity within the sport. The nation has earned a complete of 13 senior European medals, with three gold medals received by Jatskevitch (1978, 1980, 1982). Notably, all of Jatskevitch’s titles got here earlier than Latvia’s independence, including to his cadet European (1975), junior European (1976) and junior world (1976) titles . He has since continued to contribute to the game, serving because the EJU Head Referee Director, sharing his expertise and fervour for judo.
Dedication Yields Outcomes
In 2023, the Latvian Judo Federation celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, marking 5 a long time of judo improvement within the nation. The 12 months was highlighted by a historic achievement from Maksims DUINOVS, who secured a junior world bronze medal within the -90kg class on the championships in Odivelas. Moreover, the federation expanded its function on the worldwide stage, incomes the rights to host two vital occasions in 2024: the veterans European Cup and the European U-15 Hopes Cup. This brings the federation’s complete internet hosting to 4 occasions this 12 months, together with the senior European Cup and the upcoming cadet European Cup this weekend.
In 2024, Latvia added six extra medals to its increasing veteran European tally. Gold medals had been received by Viktor RESKO and Vsevolods ZELONIJS, whereas Sandra BARBAKA and Gunars KIRSONS secured silver. Bronze medals had been claimed by Aigars MILENBERGS and Andrejs GEVLA. Moreover, Latvia celebrated two Cadet European medals this 12 months, earned by Aleksandrs AVDEJEVS (-73kg) and Tomass MANFELDS (-90kg).
At the moment, the Latvian Judo Federation oversees 39 judo golf equipment and a group of about 4,000 judoka. The federation focuses on selling the game in any respect ranges, from grassroots improvement to elite competitors. Via these efforts, Latvian judo continues to develop, contributing to each the nationwide sports activities tradition and worldwide judo competitions. With their devoted efforts, it comes as no shock that Latvia will host the 2025 European Judo Championships Veterans and Kata.
Off the mat…Do you know?
- The subsequent time you slip right into a pair of denims, you may thank Latvian-born tailor Jacob Davis. In 1871, whereas dwelling in Reno, Nevada, he created denim as a sturdy cloth for trousers. His invention led to a profitable partnership with cloth service provider Levi Strauss, laying the inspiration for the long-lasting denims we all know right this moment.
- Latvian is likely one of the oldest languages in Europe, with a historical past spanning over 5,000 years. It shares similarities with Sanskrit, the traditional language of India.
- The world’s first spy digital camera, referred to as the VEF Minox, was invented in Latvia in 1937. This revolutionary movie digital camera measured simply 8.73mm in width.
- The primary Christmas tree was adorned in Latvia in 1510, adorned with bouquets of ribbons, dried flowers, straw dolls, and fruits.
- Latvia is house to Europe’s widest waterfall, the Ventas Rumba, which spans a formidable 249 meters in width.
Cowl Picture: Diego Delso
Writer: Szandra Szogedi
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