Long time waitings for lots of action
It was worth waiting long ten years for the struggles of students from different countries return to Warsaw. It is all thanks to the European Academic Combat Sports Championships.
For the fourth time in history, competition for the trophies of the European Academic Combat Games will take place. After Coimbra and Zagreb this time the competition will be held in Warsaw. The event will be held in four disciplines: judo, karate, kickboxing and taekwondo. Given the number of weight categories and the fact that both men and women will be competing, there is more than a bag of medals to be won. It will all take place at four venues: Arena Ursynów, OSIR Włochy, the sports hall of the Uniwersytet Warszawski and the conference hall of the hotel Arche. The competition will last from 22 to 25 August 2025.
It promises to be one of the biggest sporting events in Warsaw this year. More than 1,400 people from 30 countries have announced their participation, including not only the athletes but also their staff. Student-athletes will represent more than 325 universities and colleges from across Europe. This includes as many as 39 universities from Poland. According to the regulations of the European University Sports Association only students between 17 and 30 years of age may take part in the competition.
Let us recall that the last time the European Academic Championships were held in Warsaw was in 2015. At that time, tournaments in sports bridge and badminton were held.Let us recall that the last time the European Academic Championships were held in Warsaw was in 2015. At that time, tournaments in sports bridge and badminton were held.
- In recent years, we have not applied for international events because we have focused on local activities. Just a few years ago, there was the idea of organising the FISU World University Championships in modern pentathlon, but a pandemic thwarted those plans. This will certainly be a new challenge for us, which of course we want to cope with. We have experience from many different events, but we have not yet organised a competition in combat sports. However, we are enlisting the help of people who are familiar with these disciplines. I would like it to be a special time. I hope that the participants will remember Warsaw warmly and will be eager to come back here again - said Rafał Jachimiak, Vice-President of the University Sport Association of Warsaw and competition coordinator.
The opening ceremony of the European Academic Championships will take place on Friday 22 August at the Tor Służewiec. There will be artistic performances and the traditional parade of athletes. The beginning is scheduled for 8 p.m. Elimination and final fights will take place every day, so no one can complain about a lack of excitement.
Photo: Marcin Selerski