In a solemn opening ceremony held on 31. July at 20:30h in Volleyball Home „Bojan Stranić“, the first edition of EUSA Combat Championship officially started. In the next three days, Zagreb will be home for 1300 participants from 404 different universities and 36 countries.
“Zagreb is the unique city on the map of the universities sports. It was the host for two great and very important events - Universiade 1987. and European University Games in 2016. I want to thank all the organizers on the commitment and their work, as same as all others that helped in preparing this big event. For students, I wish that all their dreams come true in Zagreb - said the president of European Universities Sports Association EUSA, Adam Roczek.
All our athletes, volunteers and team officials also attended the opening ceremony, filling the Bojan Stranić Hall to the last place. We were honoured to have with us also Mr Antonio Espinosa, the president of World karate Federation (WKF) and Mr Roy Baker, president of the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations WAKO.
Ms Olivera Majić, Deputy Mayor of the City of Zagreb opened the Championship and said that she is satisfied that young students from Europe have the opportunity to compete in Zagreb: “I wish to all of them fair fights and warm hospitality - don’t worry, the citizens of Zagreb will also show it”, she added.
EUSA Combat Championship started with the notes of the international student's anthem „Gaudeamus Igitur“ and raising the EUSA flag as same as the oaths by one athlete and one referee.
“This is the greatest universities sport event by numbers this year in Europe. I hope that all of you will enjoy the competitions and in the city of Zagreb and maybe you will return one day as friends”, said the president of Croatian academic sports association HASS, Mr Zrinko Čustonja.
Croatian colours will represent 64 athletes from 10 universities and colleges and fights are scheduled in four Sports Halls in Zagreb. Dom sportova 1 will be home for kickboxing, Dom sportova 2 is prepared for judo, taekwondo will be in Sports Hall trešnjevka and karate is close to the student dormitory in Volleyball Home „Bojan Stranić“.
All entrance is free of charge and all the fights are available on the live stream on our official YouTube Channel (EUSA Combat). More information, competition schedule, results and draw can be found on the official web page (zagreb2019.eusa.eu) as well as socials networks Facebook and Instagram (@eusacombat).