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Tirana, the vibrant capital of Albania, played host to the first-ever World Junior Judo Championship for athletes under 23 years old. The championship saw more than 1,100 competitors and coaches from 60 countries around the world coming together to showcase their skills and spirit in the arena of judo.
During the awards ceremony, the Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, expressed his gratitude and pride in the city's role as a sporting hub. He noted that in the year of being designated the European City of Sport, Tirana had embraced over a thousand sporting events.
"Thank you for transforming Tirana, once again, into a sports arena. These mats are not just battlegrounds; they are primarily grounds for friendship. In those five minutes, we compete, but for the next 50 years, we build friendships among athletes, teams, and nations. In a world that often grapples with various conflicts, sport serves as an important instrument for unity and closeness. This year, Tirana has hosted around 1,000 sports events, and this World Junior Championship for athletes under 23 is just one of them. We will continue with our sporting activities until the end of the year, aiming to make Tirana the sports capital of Europe. We want to keep this tradition alive, supporting our federation, our champions, and, most importantly, sports at the community level. We aim to open all gyms and ensure that our young boys and girls learn from the best in the world," Mayor Veliaj declared.
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| In the Feti Borova Olympic Hall in Tirana |