Israeli Judoka Raz Hershko to Compete in Champions League for Kazakh Club

Israeli judoka Raz Hershko has signed a contract with the Kazakh judo club JENYS, and will represent the team in the ECC Champions League until the end of 2028. JENYS is a professional and ambitious judo club from Kazakhstan that has previously won a bronze medal in the ECC Champions League, the premier European club competition organized by the EJU. The club also trains Olympic champion Yeldos Smetov. Hershko stated, "We are very happy and proud of the connection with JENYS. This connection is based on values we believe in, excellence, achievement, professionalism, and a constant striving to reach the highest level. Beyond the sporting goal of succeeding together in the Champions League, I see this as an opportunity for a significant professional and sporting connection between Israeli and Kazakh judo." Hershko added, "It is a great honor for me to join JENYS and represent my international club in the Champions League. I come with a lot of motivation and a desire to contribute to the team and succeed together. For me, the connection with a club from Kazakhstan and the sporting partnership we are creating is also of special significance, and I am very much looking forward to starting our shared journey." This year's Champions League will bring Europe's top clubs to Paris on October 24th. The European Club Championship is considered the highest level of club judo in Europe, and the 2026 edition will feature a mixed team format. Each mixed team will consist of four to six judokas, combining men's and women's categories to determine the European champion club. The competition is expected to be particularly exciting, with Paris Saint-Germain Judo entering as the reigning European champion for the past two years, while other top continental clubs will aim to dethrone them on French soil. Prize money totaling 100,000 Euros will be distributed among the medal-winning clubs: 40,000 Euros for the champion, 30,000 Euros for the runner-up, and 15,000 Euros for each of the two bronze medalists. Additionally, the top four teams will secure direct qualification for the 2027 Champions League.