A Unique Chance for an Academic Hat-Trick. Michał Jędrzejewski aims for more at the EUSA Combat Championships
This is the best way to make a comeback after an injury. Judoka Michał Jędrzejewski, a student at Gdańsk University of Technology, is preparing to compete at the European Universities Combat Championships, set to take place in Warsaw from August 22 to 25.
Two years ago, during the Summer Universiade in Chengdu, 21-year-old Jędrzejewski suffered a shoulder injury in his first combat which not only forced him to withdraw from the most prestigious academic sports event, but it also kept him away from any competition for many months.
"I'm still technically recovering. I lost most of last year recovering from surgery. This year, I’ve managed to compete in two major university events. Representing my university is a huge honor. It’s my way of giving back for all the support I’ve received, like scholarships. It means a lot to fight not just for Poland, but also for Gdańsk University of Technology" - he emphasizes.
In 2025, however, Michał is proving his strength once again. In March, he won gold at the Polish University Championships in Białystok, and in July he claimed victory at the 2025 Rhine-Ruhr Summer Universiade in judo -100kg.
“It really took a few weeks for the scale of that achievement to sink in. The EUC Combat Sports 2025 fits perfectly into this year's schedule, especially when there is no Olympic qualifiers. I’m taking this event very seriously. I want to make the most of the experience, learn from it and come back home with great memories” says the Universiade champion.
A major motivator for the Gdańsk University of Technology student is the fact that this year's competition is taking place in Poland. And as he points out, it won’t be his first appearance in Warsaw.
“Being part of the event in Poland creates a special atmosphere. I’ve competed in Warsaw before - at the World Cup usually held in late February, and at the Junior European Championships. It’s a unique experience to perform in your own country, in front of your own audience. For an athlete starting their senior career, it’s like a dream coming true” he says.
Following his success at the Summer Universiade in Germany, Jędrzejewski didn’t have much time to rest. The Polish university champion headed straight to a training camp in Zakopane to stay in a good shape before EUC.
"I’m going into this knowing there will be strong competitors. It’s a championship-level event, and I need to be ready. I’ll approach this tournament the same way I did at the Universiade. That led me to a gold medal” he adds.
Although the 23-year-old is still in the early stages of his senior career, his ambitions are clear. With gold medals from the Polish University Championships and the Summer Universiade, he now sets his sights on gaining medal at the European Universities Championships.
When asked how this event compares to others he has participated in, he reflects:
“I’ve competed twice at the European Junior Championships, gaining silver and bronze. But those events have a different vibe. I also experienced the Chengdu Universiade, living in the athletes’ village—so I know how special academic competitions can be.”
The European Universities Combat Championships will take place in Warsaw from August 22 to 25.