Portimão will host the largest European Judo Championships Veterans ever held later this month, with a record 1,415 athletes from 36 countries registered to compete.
The championships will take place at Portimão Arena from October 22 to 25, bringing four days of international judo to the Algarve city.
Admission will be free throughout the competition.
The number of entries sets a new participation record for the event and is expected to bring not only athletes, but also coaches, referees, officials and accompanying family members to Portimão.
Veterans competitions are open to judokas aged 30 and over, with athletes divided into different age categories.
For organisers, the championship is also intended to showcase how competitive sport can continue well beyond the traditional elite years, highlighting values such as discipline, perseverance and personal achievement, they say.
Portimão builds judo credentials
The event is being organised through a partnership involving the Portuguese Judo Federation, European Judo Union, Portimão Council and Judo Clube de Portimão.
The local club has developed growing experience in staging major international competitions, having organised the Portuguese round of the European Judo Cup in Portimão over the past three years.
That experience has helped establish the city as a regular fixture on the European judo calendar and will now be put to use for what organisers describe as the biggest Veterans European Championships to date.
Meanwhile, the arrival of more than 1,400 competitors, along with technical teams, officials and supporters, is also expected to provide an October boost for local hotels, restaurants and businesses, the local council says.
Michael Bruxo
Journalist for the Portugal Resident.